GALLIPOLIS - Traffic accident deaths were down this holiday weekend, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Five people were killed in traffic crashes over the 2006 Christmas holiday weekend as opposed to the 12 people killed in 2005.

From Dec. 22, 2006 to Dec. 25, 2006, there were a total of five fatal crashes with five fatalities and eight injuries.

They were: one fatal crash on a state/federal highway with one fatality and five injuries; two fatal crashes on county roads with two fatalities and no injuries; one fatal crash on an Interstate highway inside a city with one fatality and three injuries; and one fatal crash on an Interstate highway outside of a city with one fatality and no injuries.

Of the five fatalities, only one victim was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident and there were no reports of alcohol use.

While fatalities were down this year, operating a vehicle while under the influence (OVI) arrests were up, the patrol said.

State troopers made 383 OVI arrests over the holiday weekend; a number that exceeds the 2005 arrests by more than a 100.

The patrol attributes the lower fatality numbers in 2006 to the crackdown on impaired drivers.

Since January 1, 2006, 813 people have been killed in rural traffic crashes in Ohio; down from the 922 people killed in 2005 from January 1 to December 25.

As a reminder, motorists can call toll-free 1-877-7-PATROL to receive highway assistance, report suspicious activity or advise troopers of disabled vehicles.