Chief Seth C. DiSanto
222 Main St.
Newport VT 05855
Friday, Dec. 21, 2018
News Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Newport Police Announce DUI Checkpoints Next Week
NEWPORT, VERMONT — Chief Seth DiSanto reports that the Newport Police Department will be conducting sobriety checkpoints throughout next week in order to identify and arrest impaired drivers.
The Newport Police Department will be conducting the checkpoints from Dec. 23-29 in coordination with its law enforcement partners. In addition to ensuring that drivers are not impaired, officers will be enforcing seatbelt, child restraint and other motor vehicle laws at the checkpoints.
“We’re committed to ensuring that our roads are safe through this holiday week,” Chief DiSanto said. “We will be conducting aggressive enforcement this week to help prevent a potential tragedy caused by someone driving while they are impaired.”
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 40 percent of traffic fatalities that occur during the holidays involve a driver who is alcohol-impaired, compared to 31 percent for the rest of the year. Mothers Against Drunk Driving reported that, in 2016, 48 percent of highway deaths on New Year’s Eve were alcohol related.
To keep travelers safe, Chief DiSanto offers the following safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
Buckle Up, Drive Sober and Pay Attention
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Never drive while intoxicated or if distracted. In every state, it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. Do not text while driving and always keep both hands on the wheel.
- Be sure to have a designated driver to ensure that you and your family members are safe at all times in the motor vehicle.
- If you see anyone with an alcoholic beverage, or if a person smells of alcohol, do not get into the car or let that person drive.
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