OSHP targets impaired drivers on I-270 Halloween weekend

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) will station troopers and aircraft along Interstate 270 starting Saturday, Oct. 31, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy on impaired and reckless driving through the Halloween weekend.

The two-day operation puts OSHP troopers and the agency's aviation unit along the Columbus outerbelt, according to WBNS. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office will join the effort. I-270 serves Gahanna and connects with New Albany via State Route 161, and the Gahanna Police Department partnered with OSHP on a similar July crackdown on the same freeway.

"Our highest priority this weekend is keeping our roads safe, and that is why troopers will have zero tolerance for dangerous and impaired driving," OSHP Capt. Eric Caudill said. He urged anyone planning to drink or use substances to arrange a safe ride home in advance.

Why I-270

OSHP data shows impaired driving is a leading factor in crashes causing serious injuries or deaths. The agency cited 531 fatal crashes in Franklin County between 2021 and 2025.

The Halloween operation follows the July I-270 crackdown. OSHP's Halloween announcement, as reported by WBNS, said that effort produced 700 traffic enforcement actions. A separate WBNS report on the July results detailed higher totals: 961 speed citations, 84 seatbelt violations, 121 distracted-driving citations and two impaired-driving arrests.

Troopers caught 19 drivers exceeding 100 mph during the July operation. One trooper clocked a driver at 126 mph.

Gahanna Deputy Chief Ethan Moffitt said at the time that the department had already seen its first fatal crash involving speeds over 100 mph. OSHP reported 786 crashes on I-270 from the start of the year through July 9, with 144 of those speed-related.