The Richland County Sheriff's office has been awarded a $62,780 federal traffic safety grant for the coming year.

The money comes through the Ohio Department of Public Safety's Office of Criminal Justice Services, and pays deputies to work overtime to conduct high visibility enforcement and hold educational and awareness events.

Sheriff Steve Sheldon says this will be a great help, with his road patrol bureau being short-staffed due to budget cuts in recent years.

Sheldon says deputies will be looking for drunk, speeding, and reckless drivers in high-crash areas throughout the county.

Crash data shows Richland County had 72 serious injury or fatal alcohol-related accidents in the past year.