| St. Robert police will conduct two different traffic checkpoints in April |
By: Darrell Todd Maurina
|
Posted: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 11:02 am
|
ST. ROBERT, Mo. (April 14, 2009) — Two different police checkpoints will be conducted in St. Robert this month, according to Sgt. Butch Hohman of the St. Robert Police Department.
The checkpoints typically happen because of state and federal traffic safety grants received by the city to pay for police officer overtime; volunteer firefighters and Mark Twain REACT personnel assist with the larger checkpoints that require special lighting and additional personnel to conduct nighttime traffic diversion. Locations for the checkpoints have varied but are usually on major routes through St. Robert that have adjacent parking lots where cars can be diverted for additional screening as needed.
Hohman announced Tuesday that a safety checkpoint will be conducted sometime this week, with officers checking randomly for safety equipment such as working lights as well as checking drivers to verify that they have their licenses and insurance identification cards, are using seat belts, and are using child restraints if children are in the vehicle.
Drivers will only be detained briefly and then will be allowed to continue on their way again, Hohman said.
A second more intensive checkpoint will be held this month checking for driver sobriety in a crackdown on intoxicated and impaired drivers.
“It’s never worth the risk to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drivers could lose their license, pay large fines or worst of all cause a tragic loss of life,” Hohman said.
According to Hohman, an average of 50,000 people die each year from traffic accidents. An additional 30,000 people were involved in either alcohol related or drunk driving accidents.
Missouri statistics for 2007 show that 243 people were killed in more than 7,780 alcohol related crashes.
“We are trying to reduce this number,” Hohman said. “So if you get stopped at a checkpoint, please be patient. You will not be detained any longer than is necessary to ensure you are not driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, then you will be on your way again.”
Related articles
Dozen cited in drunk driving checkpoint Saturday in St. Robert
Posted: Monday, May 4, 2009 8:44 am
St. Robert police checkpoint shows seat belt use increases to 98 percent
Posted: Thursday, April 16, 2009 5:47 pm
THIS ARTICLE: St. Robert police will conduct two different traffic checkpoints in April
Posted: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 11:02 am
Click here to comment for local opinion |
|
Printer-friendly format
|
|
