DUI CHECKPOINTS

Sterling Sobriety Checkpoint WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Nets One Arrest, 3 Drivers-- No License

Members of the Sheriff's Traffic Safety Unit conducted a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) checkpoint on Saturday at South Lincoln Avenue and Jefferson Court in Sterling.

The checkpoint started at 11:00 PM and was completed at 2:25 AM. During this time 136 cars passed through the checkpoint with eight drivers further screened for possible impairment. One driver was arrested for DUI. Three drivers were cited for no valid operator's license. One driver was cited for a child seat violation and one subject was cited for a seatbelt violation.

The Sheriff's Office currently conducts one checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays. The Sheriff's Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving.

Over the past several years Loudoun County has seen a marked decrease in the number of alcohol related crashes and fatalities. In 2004 there were 236 alcohol related traffic crashes, in 2005 there were 184 and 188 in 2006. In 2004 there were 8 alcohol related traffic fatalities with 3 fatalities in both 2005 and 2006.