T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK The “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” ended with a hectic Labor Day weekend. Motorists are reminded to be careful of school buses now that school is in session.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Summer’s last holiday brought a busy weekend, but the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” ended without more local fatalities than the two that occurred in Belmont County earlier this year.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol uses the term for the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day due to increased summer traffic and additional risks on the road.

The patrol released a report showing an increase in traffic stops statewide between Friday and Monday, with a total of 17,965 traffic enforcement stops conducted along with 9,479 non-enforcement stops.

In addition, troopers arrested 415 drivers for OVI and issued 2,173 safety belt citations. Troopers also made 225 drug arrests, 98 felony apprehensions and provided assistance to 1,876 motorists.

Locally, Lt. Brian McFarland of the St. Clairsville patrol post reported 14 crashes were investigated during the weekend, four of which involved injuries. McFarland said none involved alcohol.

“We stopped almost 600 cars total. We made approximately 337 enforcement stops. We assisted 42 motorists and issued four OVI arrests and 111 warnings,” he said. “We didn’t think traffic at times was as heavy as we anticipated, but overall we had a typical weekend for a holiday.”

McFarland said the crashes only resulted in minor injuries.

He added that this did not include the high-speed chase from St. Clairsville to Barnesville that occurred early Saturday afternoon that involved the highway patrol, Belmont County Sheriff’s Office and officers from St. Clairsville and Barnesville. The suspect, believed to be driving a stolen car, was arrested after a crash involving multiple law enforcement vehicles, reportedly caused by poor visibility on a dusty, gravel road.

“It was about an hour-long pursuit,” he said, adding that no troopers were injured and there was no damage to their cruisers. “The guy was desperate to get away, that’s for sure.”

St. Clairsville Police Chief Matt Arbenz on Tuesday said two of his officers received minor injuries and their cruisers were damaged.

McFarland said many of the other Labor Day crashes were due to excessive speed and distracted driving, with three tickets issued for distracted driving. He added that the state law which enhances penalties for distracted driving is still in the “warning phase” and will receive full enforcement starting Oct. 6.

Next week, the St. Clairsville post will join a six-state enforcement project to watch for marijuana offenses. It will be from Sept. 14-17 across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

“We’ll work I-70 and try to intercept marijuana,” he said.

He noted that there will be a focus on crimes against children Sept. 22-24, drawing attention to the issue of missing and exploited children and human trafficking.

Meanwhile, McFarland reminds the public that school is back in session and to be cautious around school buses. He referred to a recent bus crash with a minivan in Clark County, Ohio, that left one child dead and multiple others injured.

“People need to know that the schools are back in session and they can’t pass a stopped school bus. Give yourself plenty of distance, especially in the mornings when it’s still dark out. … It can be difficult to see the children getting on the bus.”