Most drivers are responsible and do their best to operate their vehicles safely — not just for their own sake, but for others on the roads as well. Still, it came as a surprise to learn the results of a statewide Ohio State Highway Patrol OVI enforcement effort earlier this month.

From May 14-16, an upsetting 158 impaired drivers were pulled off the roads.

Sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols (no, you weren’t imagining things if you thought “Wow, there are a lot of cops out today,” during that period) resulted in 18,500 vehicles being checked — and four felony arrests.

Approximately half of all fatal traffic accidents in Ohio are the result of drunk or otherwise impaired drivers, and they lead to approximately 300 deaths and 4,600 injuries every year, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

So while efforts such as the Highway Patrol’s enforcement initiative are important, the rest of us can do something, too.

First, of course, is to simply NOT drive impaired. Plan ahead, have a designated driver or plan for transportation — or don’t drink if you’ll need to drive. But second is use of the #677 number to get directly connected with the nearest Highway Patrol post to report potentially dangerous or reckless drivers.

Yes, it may feel a little uncomfortable to report someone — and for goodness sake, do not do so thoughtlessly or for hateful reasons. But one phone call could stop a reckless or impaired driver. It could save a life — maybe even that of the driver.

Drive smart, safe and sober; offer to be a designated driver, and call #677 if you suspect someone’s driving is a danger to others. There’s more you can do than you might think, to keep everyone a little safer on the road.