Troopers with the Ohio Highway Patrol made 194 drug arrests - an increase of more than 21 percent - throughout the Labor Day holiday reporting period of midnight Aug. 31 through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 3.

Labor Day weekend is historically known for being a dangerous time on Ohio roadways and this year was no different, according the patrol.

Despite the deaths of 13 people killed in 13 separate crashes this year, Ohio experienced a decrease of two fatalities when compared to 2011, according to the patrol. Fatalities reached a four-year high in 2009, with 20 deaths recorded during the four-day reporting period.

The OSP saw a significant increase in safety belt citations - with an increase of more than 23 percent when compared to last year. Overall enforcement was up more than nine percent, with troopers stopping more than 29,000 vehicles in which a citation was issued.

“While one fatality is one too many, it is encouraging to see a reduction in deaths this holiday weekend,” said Col. John Born, superintendent of the patrol. “Ohio’s troopers were out in full force this holiday weekend and their efforts undoubtedly saved lives.”