Mahoning Valley - Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers are riding through Mahoning County this week with a clear target: distracted drivers on Route 224.

The Patrol has deployed five motorcycle units to Boardman, concentrating on Route 224 and parts of Interstate 680 and 76 through Friday.

OSP said the motorcycles give troopers a clear view into vehicles, allowing them to spot drivers holding their phones and make quick stops in heavy traffic.

“They’ll usually have it [cell phone] up in front of their face, either texting or talking or looking at GPS,” said Sgt. Nicholas Diehl with OSP Columbus.

The crackdown is data-driven.

Data shows Route 224 is Mahoning County’s top crash corridor, logging more than 3,100 crashes within the past five years.

From 2023 to September 2025 alone, 224 h

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