During the upcoming New Year's celebrations, authorities are reminding motorists to stay sober or find alternative transportation.

"We always say, 'It'll never happen to us,' but statistics prove time and time again (that) it does happen to us," said Ross County Sheriff George Lavender.

"We want to be careful that we don't make a moment's decision that might influence us and impact us the rest of our lives."

The Ohio Highway Patrol reported 5 fatalities from Christmas Eve through Christmas Day, three of which were attributed to impaired driving.