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July 2, 2009

Sobriety checkpoints under way

Kenneth Hart/The Independent The Daily Independent Thu Jul 02, 2009, 11:58 PM EDT

Ashland — Had a few? Don’t even think about getting behind the wheel.

That’s the message law enforcement agencies are attempting to stress to the public during the July 4 holiday weekend.

“Drunk Driving. Over the Limit, Under Arrest” is the theme of the enforcement campaign for the holiday period, which began at 6 p.m. Thursday and runs through midnight Sunday.

Motorists can expect to encounter saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints on Kentucky’s roadways during their holiday travels.

Of course, officers will be looking for all types of violations. However, the emphasis will be on impaired driving, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

“This time of year, people hit the road to join friends and family for celebrations across the state,” Transportation Secretary Joe Prather said. “Through traffic safety checkpoints and aggressive patrols, state and local law enforcement will utilize all available resources in an effort to make Kentucky’s roadways as safe as possible.”

According to the Kentucky State Police, there were six motor-vehicle fatalities in the state during the 2008 Independence Day holiday period. Of those, one was alcohol-related. Of the 826 total roadway fatalities in the commonwealth last year, 178 involved alcohol. There were 17 alcohol-related fatalities involving motorcyclists.

“Too many people fail to understand that alcohol and driving don’t mix,” said Chuck Geveden, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety. “Driving impaired isn’t worth the risk.”

KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.

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