Motor Vehicle Violations Issued At Checkpoint

Although police found no motorists to be driving under the influence at a sobriety checkpoint staged on the night of Saturday, June 12, and early morning hours of Sunday, June 13, they did find 28 motor vehicle violations while coming into contact with motorists driving approximately 700 vehicles.

Twelve police conducted the checkpoint on Hawleyville Road, near its intersection with Covered Bridge Road. The Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company provided nighttime illumination for the checkpoint.

Each of the approximately 700 vehicles that passed the checkpoint was stopped, and drivers were asked whether they had consumed alcohol or illicit drugs before driving, according to police Sergeant Christopher Vanghele.

During the course of the checkpoint, police issued three infraction tickets to motorists for driving unregistered motor vehicles. Also, police issued one infraction ticket for failure to renew a vehicle registration. One motorist received an infraction for failure to obey a stop sign.

Police also issued six written warnings and 17 verbal warnings to drivers for various motor vehicle offenses, Sgt Vanghele said. The second of the summer’s three sobriety checkpoints is planned for July 24.

The June 12-13 sobriety checkpoint was the 14th such checkpoint held by police during the past several years. Past checkpoints have resulted in 30 arrests for driving under the influence, three drug-related arrests, a breach of peace arrest, plus 330 miscellaneous offenses, including motor vehicle violations.