Slight Decrease in Drunk Driving Arrests This Year

In light of recent tragedies involving drunk driving state-wide, the Massachusetts State Police will be out in force this weekend on the North Shore.

While their exact location is unknown, the police will conduct a sobriety checkpoint on a secondary state highway in Essex County Friday evening into Saturday morning.

According to the State Police, the purpose is to further educate drivers and strengthen the public's awareness of the need of detecting and removing drivers who operate under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs from our roadways.

Locally, Police Chief Robert Picariello said drunken driving arrests this year are so far slightly lower than last summer.

"So far, this year there have been 30 arrests," Picariello said, noting that statistic is from January 1 and includes driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or driving while under the influence of drugs. "At this point last year, the total was 33."

Picariello said his department works continually to get drunk drivers off the road. This includes constant monitoring of the bars to make sure people are not over-served, he said.

"We do bar checks all the time," Picariello said. "We are diligent in making sure bars comply. We are also constantly looking for ways to be even better."

Picariello said while this weekend's sobriety checkpoint location is not made public, Marblehead Police are out every night making sure those who choose to drive under the influence are caught.

The State Police will "conduct the checkpoint during varied hours, the selection of vehicles will not be arbitrary, safety will be assured and any inconveniences to drivers will be minimized with advance notice to reduce fear and anxiety," according to State Police.