OVI Checkpoints in Wood

CityOVI Checkpoint LocationDate
PerrysburgOVI checkpoint & Saturation patrols on Front Street in Perrysburg. By Perrysburg Police DepartmentFriday, August 16, 2024 | Tonight
Bowling GreenNear Bowling Green State University - E Wooster St, Bowling Green, OH 43403Friday, August 18, 2023 | Tonight

 

Wood County is located in northwest Ohio, just south of Toledo. It’s home to several bustling cities and college towns like Bowling Green and Perrysburg, as well as rural communities that line major highways like I-75, US-6, and US-20. With a mix of student nightlife, commercial truck traffic, and commuters, OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) checkpoints are regularly used to reduce drunk and drugged driving incidents.

Checkpoints in Wood County are conducted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol (Bowling Green Post), Wood County Sheriff’s Office, and local departments including Bowling Green PD, Perrysburg PD, and Northwood PD. These agencies focus enforcement on areas known for impaired driving crashes or arrests — especially on weekends and during local events.

About Wood County, Ohio

Wood County stretches from the shores of the Maumee River near Perrysburg to the farmland communities of Jerry City and Custar. It’s a high-traffic area thanks to the I-75 corridor, Bowling Green State University (BGSU), and popular shopping and dining hubs around Levis Commons. Law enforcement monitors traffic closely in and around busy bar districts, rural highways, and commuter routes.

Key cities and towns include:

  • Bowling Green (county seat)

  • Perrysburg

  • Rossford

  • Northwood

  • Walbridge

  • Grand Rapids

  • Weston

  • Millbury

  • Bloomdale

  • Luckey

Major Roads Targeted for OVI Checkpoints

Officers typically set up checkpoints and saturation patrols on the following roadways:

  • I-75 (runs north–south through Bowling Green, Perrysburg, and Northwood)

  • US-6 (passes east–west through BG, Wayne, and Bradner)

  • US-20 / US-20A (runs near Perrysburg, Stony Ridge, and Lemoyne)

  • SR-25 (Dixie Hwy) through Bowling Green and Perrysburg

  • SR-795 (connects Rossford to I-280 and Northwood)

  • SR-199 (runs north from Fostoria through Perrysburg)

  • Lime City Road, Wooster Street, and Napoleon Road (BG area roads)

  • Tracy Road and Oregon Road (heavily patrolled Northwood corridors)

Law Enforcement Agencies That Conduct OVI Checkpoints

  • Ohio State Highway Patrol – Bowling Green Post

  • Wood County Sheriff’s Office

  • Bowling Green Police Department

  • Perrysburg Police Department

  • Northwood Police Department

  • Rossford Police Department

  • Lake Township Police Department

  • Walbridge Police Department

High-Risk OVI Checkpoint Locations in Wood County

Checkpoints are frequently placed in areas with a combination of high DUI arrest history, crash reports, nightlife activity, or commuter flow. Here are the most common areas:

Bowling Green – BGSU Campus Area, Wooster Street & I-75

Checkpoint Areas:

  • East Wooster Street between I-75 and Main Street

  • Napoleon Road and Campbell Hill Road near BGSU

  • SR-25 (Main Street) south of downtown

  • I-75 ramps at Wooster Street and SR-64

Nearby Landmarks:

  • Bowling Green State University

  • Downtown BG bars and restaurants

  • Wood County Hospital

  • BGSU sports and concert venues

Why it’s targeted:
BG is a college town with frequent student-related DUI incidents, especially on weekends, during finals week, and sporting events. East Wooster and I-75 ramps see heavy bar traffic from both students and out-of-town visitors.

Agencies: Bowling Green PD, OSHP BG Post, Sheriff’s Office

Perrysburg – US-20, SR-25 & Levis Commons Area

Checkpoint Areas:

  • US-20 (Fremont Pike) from I-75 through Levis Commons

  • SR-25 (Dixie Hwy) northbound toward Rossford

  • Roachton Road and Eckel Junction Road intersections

  • Fort Meigs Road and Harrell Drive corridors

Nearby Landmarks:

  • The Town Center at Levis Commons

  • Perrysburg High School

  • Rivercrest Park and local taverns

  • Shopping and hotel zones along US-20

Why it’s targeted:
Perrysburg has a growing restaurant, entertainment, and retail scene that draws regional traffic. Law enforcement targets this area for impaired drivers leaving bars, weddings, and weekend gatherings.

Agencies: Perrysburg PD, OSHP, Wood County Sheriff

Northwood & Rossford – SR-795, Tracy Road & Oregon Road

Checkpoint Areas:

  • SR-795 between I-75 and I-280

  • Tracy Road and Oregon Road near Owens Community College

  • Lime City Road near Hollywood Casino access points

Nearby Landmarks:

  • Owens Community College

  • Hollywood Casino Toledo (just outside county line)

  • Northwood High School and industrial parks

Why it’s targeted:
This area is a known DUI corridor, especially due to casino traffic and late-night driving on SR-795. Checkpoints often operate near Northwood’s industrial exits and along county lines where crossover DUI arrests are common.

Agencies: Northwood PD, Rossford PD, OSHP BG Post

US-6 & US-23 Corridor – Bradner, Wayne, Risingsun

Checkpoint Areas:

  • US-6 between Bradner and Bowling Green

  • US-23 at Fostoria city limits and Bloomdale

  • Bradner Road, Wapakoneta Road, and Risingsun Road

Nearby Landmarks:

  • Bowling Green Wind Farm

  • Rural township halls and VFWs

  • Local festivals and weekend barn venues

Why it’s targeted:
This eastern portion of the county is mostly rural but has high weekend DUI risk due to outdoor events, weddings, and county fairgrounds. These areas are often used for checkpoints where drivers least expect them.

Agencies: Wood County Sheriff’s Office, OSHP

Weston, Grand Rapids & Rural Western Wood County

Checkpoint Areas:

  • SR-235, SR-64, and Defiance Pike through Weston

  • Second Street and Wapakoneta Road in Grand Rapids

  • Crossroads near Custar, Milton Center, and Jerry City

Nearby Landmarks:

  • Weston’s historic downtown

  • Grand Rapids canal park and restaurants

  • Rural barns and event centers hosting weekend parties

Why it’s targeted:
Though less dense, western Wood County sees local festivals, tractor pulls, and large gatherings in the warmer months. Officers focus on roads with limited lighting and high-speed limits where impaired drivers can easily go unnoticed.

Agencies: Sheriff’s Office, OSHP, local township PDs

When Are OVI Checkpoints Conducted in Wood County?

Drivers in Wood County should be prepared for OVI checkpoints and extra patrols during:

  • Weekend nights (Fridays and Saturdays from 9 PM – 2 AM)

  • College events and BGSU Homecoming

  • Holiday weekends, including:

    • Labor Day

    • Halloween

    • Thanksgiving Eve

    • New Year’s Eve

  • Levis Commons events and summer festivals

  • High school proms and graduation weekends

  • Concerts or events at Huntington Center in nearby Toledo

The Ohio State Highway Patrol – Bowling Green Post, in coordination with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and municipal PDs, schedules these checkpoints in areas with a known history of impaired driving crashes and DUI arrests.