Sobriety Checkpoint Detects Range Of Motoring Violations 

Although police did not find any intoxicated drivers during a sobriety checkpoint held on the night of June 26 and early morning hours of June 27, they did spot a variety of violations at the enforcement event.

Police held the checkpoint on South Main Street (Route 25) on a straightaway north of that street’s intersection with Ethan Allen Road.

Police chose that area for the enforcement project because it is a heavily traveled street linking Danbury to Bridgeport, as well as a road that carries traffic to and from Interstate 84. Many motor vehicle accidents occur on South Main Street.

During the checkpoint, police made one custody arrest. At about 10:34 pm June 26, police charged motorist Peter Gorman, 47, of Easton with driving an unregistered vehicle and with driving while under suspension.

Police transported Gorman to the police station, after which he was released on a written promise to appear July 10 in Danbury Superior Court.

Also at the checkpoint, police issued 13 verbal warnings for failure to display a marker plate or registration sticker; nine verbal warnings for failure to have functioning headlamps, and six verbal warnings for failure to have functioning taillights.

Also, seven motorists received verbal warnings for having defective windshields; two drivers received verbal warnings for failure to drive to the right, and two drivers were verbally warned for failure to obey a stop sign.

Two drivers received verbal warnings for improper signaling while turning.

Also, one motorist got an infraction from police for failure to secure a child in a car seat.

All motorists driving past the checkpoint were stopped and interviewed to determine whether the drivers were under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, said Sergeant Douglas Wisentaner.

The goal of the enforcement program is to reduce the number of drunken driving-related injuries and fatalities through high-visibility enforcement.

A federal grant covers 75 percent of the overtime costs for police who staff the checkpoint.

Police plan to increase their patrols looking for drunken drivers during the Independence Day weekend and also conduct more sobriety checkpoints later this summer.