SOUTH POINT — Drunk and driving? Then 2012 may not be a good year for you.

As part of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s mantra — Trooper Shield — and the agency’s ongoing effort to contribute to a safer Ohio, troopers increased their focus on impaired driving enforcement in 2011 and plan to continue this effort in 2012.

Throughout 2011 troopers made 23,708 operating a vehicle while intoxicated arrests statewide, an increase of seven percent over 2010 arrests. Of these, more than one in five — 21 percent — included a speed violation; 16 percent included a violation for driving without a valid driver license; and nearly one in eight included a safety belt violation.

In addition, there were 13,799 operating a vehicle while intoxicated-related crashes on Ohio roadways, killing 401 and injuring 8,517.

“We can’t fight the battle against impaired driving on our own. We need your commitment to make our roads safe,” said Lt. Michael Gore. “You can contribute to a safer Ohio by actively influencing friends and family to make safe, responsible decisions — like planning ahead to designate a driver and insisting that everyone in the vehicle is buckled up.”

Last year, state troopers from the Ironton Post, arrested 325 impaired drivers who were posing a significant danger to innocent motorists.

The public is encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists.

To view a copy of the entire statistical recap, visit www.statepatrotoltio.govidoc/OVI Bulletin 2012.pdf.