Highway patrol: 7 deaths, 1,081 arrests this weekend

Seven died on Ohio highways over the July 4 holiday weekend, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The organization released a report Monday covering the number of deaths, arrests and accidents troopers responded to from Thursday to Sunday.

Troopers responded to 643 accidents during the four-day period.

Last year, the weekend resulted in 12 deaths on the highways.

Impaired driving accounted for 690 arrests, the report showed. The other arrests 391 were for drug charges.

"Impaired driving is a crime that we take very seriously, as it continues to threaten the safety of motorists all across Ohio," said Col. Paul A. Pride, Patrol superintendent. "By arresting drivers and writing citations, we aim to change driving behavior to prevent future tragedies."

The Highway Patrol also reported 6,054 seat belt violations being issued, and 2,675 aggressive driving citations.