The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
Police will be cracking down on drunken drivers starting tonight and continuing every weekend through Labor Day, the Police Department announced today.
The “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” crackdown will consist of sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, according to a news release. One checkpoint will take place tonight in the northwest corner of the city starting around midnight, Officer Jimmy Barnes, a police spokesman, said in an e-mail.
The goal is to “save lives and injuries” caused by intoxicated drivers, Barnes said.
The effort is part of a nationwide campaign.
In Virginia alone, 354 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes last year, according to the release. In Virginia Beach, drugs or alcohol were involved in 17 of 28 fatal crashes in 2008, according to the release.
Police recommend making travel arrangements before drinking. People can also use the “Do Not Tow” program at the Oceanfront. The program allows drivers to leave their cars in city lots overnight if they’re too intoxicated to drive. They just have to request a tag from the parking lot attendant.
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Don't they have to publish
Don't they have to publish where & when they are setting up a check point in advance.Where can you find that information?
Drunk driving
Every police officer on the street should be enforcing these laws and not just the specialized units. While checking for drunk drivers, they should also be alert for talking on cell phones and texing which is just as dangerous. Half ther people I see on the road have a phone stuck to their ear or texing.
Safety VS Secure your persons, houses, paper and effects
That about says what I think about this. I do not drink and drive, I don't smoke, and I have had 2 speeding tickets in 30 years, and never had an accident.
I hate people that drink and drive, and I hate the courts let them off when they are caught
However, that is no reason to stop people and question them at a check point. I find that unacceptable.
Alterative? Catch them speeding, catch them weaving, catch them rolling a right on red (I had to put that one in), then BUST them and put them behind bars.
Another way to collect more revenue and violate what should be o
Face it, this is just another way to collect more revenue for the city. And why? Because someone may have an increased likelihood to cause an accident. No actual accident has to occur, mind you. Do you think an insurance company would pay out for an increased likelihood of an accident? Not a chance, only for the real thing. So, here we go persecuting folks who may be more likely to cause an accident. Where is the innate justice in this? There isn't, it is just an excuse to collect more revenues for the city to waste.
hmmm
I wonder how many of their own they are going to bust...either way, the streets are safer
Driving While Intoxicated
Driving is not a right, it is a privilege granted by the state.
People who break the DUI law should be given MANDATORY jail time.
Scary
It's scary to see people who disagree with checkpoints. They are a hassle if you have to wait, but if it saves a life, I am glad to spend the time waiting. For the individuals who are drinking and driving, you are blessed to have pilotonline write this article, so you can take a detour. I wish no one would publish this information. I had 2 people click on thumbs down on my comment earlier. Thats scary because I was just asking people not to drink and drive. It's irresponsible for someone to do that.
Look at Dante Stallworth. He had too much to drink, and killed a pedestrian who was jaywalking and just jumped out in front of him. He is suspended from the NFL for a year. I am glad the NFL suspended him. Drinking is pre-meditated, so driving after you drink and killing someone should be premeditated murder. If he would not have anything to drink, and he hit the guy and killed him, it would not have been his fault. You don't know what is going to happen anytime you drive, so don't impair yourself by drinking.
Gotta love it
I just love all these special occasions the city/state plan to enforce some of the laws. First it was the red light runners, this time it’s for DUI, maybe next time it might be for speeders. I know, I’m expecting a lot though. Too bad we can't get someone to enforce these laws all the time.
Do It Better Than!
I absolutely love all of these people who are constantly critical of police officers. If you think you could do the job better, than go through the training, put your life on the line every day and prove it. If this saves one life tonight it is well worth it. If people would start being more responsible for their own actions, than these "checkpoints" wouldn't be necessary.
The police are doing you a favor.
I believe that it's better to be hauled away for DUI sitting up with your hands cuffed behind your back than to be hauled away because of DUI lying on your back with your hands crossed peacefully on your chest.
If you drink, don't drive. If you drive, don't drink.