The Virginian-Pilot
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This Thursday, if you're driving to the Outer Banks or other destinations in North Carolina for a holiday getaway, double check that your passengers are belted, young children are properly restrained in approved car seats, your vehicle is in safe working order, and all your licenses and inspection stickers are up to date.
And make sure you're not boozing behind the wheel.
If you don't, the "Border to Border" checkpoint will get you.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, the eve of the Labor Day weekend, the Chesapeake Police Department and North Carolina law enforcement are teaming up to man Border to Border checkpoints locally for the 13th consecutive year, said Chesapeake police spokeswoman Dorienne M. Boykin.
The effort will also place 23 other checkpoints on state lines between the commonwealth and Maryland, West Virginia and Kentucky.
More than 25 people with the Chesapeake Police Department, surrounding police forces and Camden County, N.C., will guard the local checkpoints.
The reason, of course, is the looming end-of-summer long holiday weekend. It's the third-deadliest U.S. holiday in terms of impaired driving.
Boykin said because many people take off Thursday to begin the long weekend, it's prudent to set up the checkpoints early. "Holding the event on Thursday ensures higher levels of traffic on the roadways to enforce traffic safety laws," she said.
Chesapeake and North Carolina police will conduct simultaneous safety checks at the state borders to make sure all drivers and passengers are properly restrained, following all safety and common sense requirements, and driving sober. "All participating law enforcement personnel are authorized to hand out citations and make arrests," Boykin said.
And the effort will be directed at truckers as well. A motor carrier enforcement squad will be at the state line to check on safety regulations.
Boykin said the checkpoints help with "the continuing decline in traffic fatality rate for 2009. We will continue to enforce all traffic laws."
In short, buckle up, drive safely, and leave the potent potables sealed in their cans and bottles.
Eric Feber, 222-5203,
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Doesn't make sense...
What's with posting the exact day and time? Okay, if you're going to drive unsafe (which I hope you don't!!) then don't do it until after 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Whatever.
Wasting Resources
Just what we don't need. Drivers harassed, traffic gridlock, and gas money wasted so people can be reminded that they need babysitting and the state has plenty of employees to spare.
Are our taxes really needed to pay for this treatment? Can we agree that law enforcement is sorely lacking in lots of vital areas beside this. Whats next, checking for plenty of hydration and using adequate sunblock?