Sheriff's Office Will Have Checkpoints

Nov. 24, 2009

The Hanover Sheriff’s Office will conduct a sobriety checkpoint on Wednesday, November 25 followed by a series of DUI patrols through the weekend.  

The exact times and locations are not being released. Officers will stop all vehicles passing through the checkpoint. Each driver will be advised of the purpose of the checkpoint and requested to present their drivers’ license. Any driver suspected of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be directed to a safe area off of the roadway for further observation and possible testing for intoxication.

Statistics indicate there is an increase in intoxicated drivers and alcohol-related traffic crashes around holidays. According to the Sheriff, although some headway has been made in reducing the number of intoxicated drivers, an increase in the death rate and the average blood alcohol content of tested-drunk drivers indicates significantly more progress is needed.

The maximum penalty in Virginia for the first conviction for driving under the influence is 12 months in jail, a $2500 fine and a 12-month suspension of driving privileges.

The Sheriff’s Office reports that last year there were 131 vehicular accidents in Hanover County that involved alcohol. Ninety-three (93) people were injured in these crashes and there were four alcohol-related fatalities.