POLICE CONDUCT ST. PATRICK'S DAY CHECKPOINTS

NEWS RELEASE
Virginia Beach Police Department
Municipal Center
Virginia Beach, VA 23456


3/15/10 2010-039

POLICE CONDUCT ST. PATRICK’S DAY CHECKPOINTS

In anticipation of the number of individuals celebrating St Patrick’s Day this week, officers from the Virginia Beach Police Department’s Special Operations Traffic Division will be conducting numerous traffic safety checkpoints on March 17th, 2010. The purpose of these checkpoints is to identify traffic offenders and those who are driving while impaired.

In 2009 Virginia Beach Police charged 2,454 individuals with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Of the 22 fatal crashes that occurred in 2009, 11 of them involved alcohol or drugs.

These checkpoints represent the Police Department’s efforts to reduce the number of impaired drivers on the roads of Virginia Beach. Those traveling through Virginia Beach may see message boards reminding them to celebrate responsibly. Partygoers that decide to drink should make arrangements to have a designated driver to ensure they return home safely.

Individuals that have parked their vehicles in one of the Municipal Parking Lots located at 2nd, 4th, 19th, 25th streets or Rudee Loop who realize they have had too much to drink are reminded of the City’s Do Not Tow program. This link provides information about this program:


Members of the media are invited to observe the checkpoint operations. Please contact the Police Public Information Office for further details.




MPO Margie Hobbs
Public Information Officer/Spokesperson
mehobbs@vbgov.com
(757) 385-4097
(757) 385-5622 (Fax)