Surprising Finds At DUI Checkpoint

A Field Sobriety Checkpoint was set from 6 p.m. until midnight on June 14 on the southbound side of the Berlin Turnpike south of Deming Road. A total of 1689 vehicles were directed through the checkpoint during the detail where vehicles were briefly detained and interviewed by officers. Of the 1689 vehicles passing through the checkpoint 31 motorists were flagged by the contact officers for DUI testing or other investigative interviews. The results are as follows.

One (1) motorist was arrested for Driving under the Influence

One (1) motorist was cited for Operating without Insurance

Eighteen (18) motorists were cited for operating unregistered motor vehicles

One (1) motorist was cited for an operating unregistered motor vehicle and operating without a license.

Two (2) motorists were cited for violation of child seat requirements.

Two (2) motorcyclists were cited for operating with excessive handlebar height.

Two (2) motorcyclists were cited for operating without licenses.

One (1) motorcyclist was cited for learners permit violation by not wearing a helmet.

One (1) motorist was cited for watching a dashboard television monitor of his employees working.

One (1) motorist was cited for unsafe backing.

One (1) commercial business was cited for excessive exhaust from a truck.

Fourteen (14) motor vehicles were towed.

This DUI enforcement is funded by a grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Division to support increased DUI detection and enforcement efforts. This enforcement program runs from Thanksgiving 2011 through Labor Day 2012. The grant provides 75 percent reimbursement of the overtime costs related to these efforts. The grant helps to provide funding to staff additional DUI patrols as well as roadside sobriety checkpoints. Roadside sobriety checkpoints have been shown to be the most effective method to detect and apprehend under the influence drivers