Oklahoma Highway Patrol Steps Up Holiday Enforcement Efforts

Tulsa area drivers should expect to see more Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers on the road Wednesday evening through early Saturday morning.

The OHP says it will increase its patrols starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday until 3 a.m. Saturday.

The OHP says 15 state troopers are participating in the effort, targeting DUI offenders, aggressive and inattentive drivers as well as alcohol and traffic-related violations.

The highway patrol says at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday; troopers will hold a DUI checkpoint near the 7th Street exit just west of U.S. Highway 75 in downtown Tulsa.

"This is an area where we have worked many DUI injury collisions in the past. The downtown area has a variety of bars and drinking establishments which lead to heavily traveled roadways, such as the IDL. This year our goal is to stop drunk drivers before they get on the highway and cause crashes which many times end in tragedy", stated Troop B Tulsa Commander Captain Jerry Reagan.

Last year, the OHP says four people were killed in three separate traffic collisions over the 4th of July holiday.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol hopes these extra patrols will encourage drivers to remain sober behind the wheel and make alternate plans for travel if you plan to consume alcohol.