Law enforcement planning double-state DUI checkpoint

Law enforcement planning double-state DUI checkpoint

Last Update: 5:01 pm |  WTXL.Com

HAVANA, Fla. – Six law enforcement agencies are preparing for a sobriety checkpoint at the Georgia-Florida line in Gadsden County, according to Lt. David Folson with the Florida Highway Patrol.

Folsom says The Florida Highway Patrol, along with the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Havana Police Department, the Georgia State Patrol, Decatur County Sheriff’s Office and the Grady County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting the Comprehensive Roadside Sobriety Checkpoint (CRSC) within Troop H, on Friday, May 25.

Folsom says the checkpoint will be conducted in the northbound side of US 27 at the Florida/Georgia Line in Gadsden County, Florida, from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. The Georgia agencies will conduct their checkpoint on the southbound side of US 27 in Georgia.

The Florida Highway Patrol along with the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Havana Police Department, the Georgia State Patrol, Decatur County Sheriff’s Office and the Grady County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a within Troop H, on Friday, May 25, 2012.

This is a continuing enforcement program to identify persons who are operating a motor vehicle with defective equipment, without a valid driver’s license, without a proper vehicle registration, proper insurance or while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

During 2010, the latest year statewide statistics are available, 794 motorists were killed and another 12,168 injured in 17748 alcohol-related crashes in Florida. In 2010, Gadsden County experienced 69 alcohol-related crashes resulting in 2 deaths and 62 injuries. Checkpoints have proven to reduce the number of DUI drivers on our highways.

The objectives of these checkpoints are:

1. Deter DUI and thereby reducing death, injury and property damage caused by alcohol and drug impaired drivers.

2. Deter currently impaired drivers before a crash occurs.

3. Deter drivers from operating vehicles without proper insurance and/or proper registration.

4. Deter vehicles from being operated on the highways with defective equipment.

5. Deter drivers from operating vehicles without a valid driver’s license.

6. Conduct checkpoints with a minimum amount of intrusion and motorist inconvenience.

7. Ensure the safety of the affected motorist and officers.

Every citizen using the highways is asked to “Report Impaired Drivers” to the nearest law enforcement agency, giving the following information:

1. Where you saw the vehicle and which direction the vehicle was traveling.

2. A description of the vehicle: its color, make and model.

3. A description of the driver: sex, race, etc.

4. The vehicle license number and state.

Cellular telephone users may dial “Star FHP (*347)” to reach the nearest Florida Highway Patrol Communications Office. This is a free call to the user and is courtesy of the cellular companies in Florida. Cellular callers should continue to dial 911 for emergency medical or fire rescue assistance.

The roadside safety checkpoint is part of our extensive enforcement plan. This plan, coupled with increased public awareness of the dangers associated with highway safety during one of Florida’s heavily traveled holiday periods will hopefully result in a reduced number of traffic deaths.