So far this year, 14 people have died on Trumbull County roads, and four of those fatal crashes were alcohol-related.
Members of several police departments met Wednesday in Warren saying they are hoping to reduce the number of drug and alcohol related crashes next year.
"Local agencies, departments from all around Trumbull County are partnering to combat OVI's, and stop people from getting killed or seriously injured," said Sgt. Randy Skaggs of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
A federal grant is helping with the costs of the checkpoints.
Members of the county's OVI task force said they plan to have 12 checkpoints next year, and those checkpoints will be held all over the county. Officials said they want to make sure some of the checkpoints are held in the western part of the county, where several crashes have happened over the past few months.
"This is not reactionary," Skaggs said. "This is an operation to prevent, and we plan accordingly to try and prevent fatals, prevent injury crashes vs. reacting to them."
Many in the community are glad the checkpoints will be held.
"It's a great thing," said Josh Nativio of Warren. "I wish they wouldn't say exactly where they are going to be, but I hope they catch the people drinking and driving and lock them up."
One of the most recent alcohol-related accidents in Trumbull County happened Nov. 28 on North Leavitt Road. Benjamin Bosley, 25, of Leavittsburg, and Rory Drnek, 25, of Mansfield, died in the crash. The driver and two passenger were injured.
According to police reports, the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on North Leavitt Road about 2:30 a.m. The driver lost control, slid off the roadway and hit a tree. All passengers were ejected, and the car was split in half.
Police said alcohol, speed and no seat belts were factors in the severity of the injuries.
