Crime & Safety
DUI Checkpoint at Madeira Beach Friday
Heading out to the bars on the Gulf beaches Friday? Better bring a designated driver.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office plans to conduct a series of sobriety checks over the next two weekends.
The goal is to get drunk drivers off the road during the holidays, when it is not uncommon for revelers have an extra beer, glass of wine or cup of eggnog.
The Sheriff's Office is letting residents know, so that motorists will be extra careful not to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking. At the sobriety checkpoints, about 35-40 deputies, including patrol and drug detectives, will be on the lookout for alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers.
The Pinellas Beaches will be the first stop for deputies to conduct DUI checks. The high number of bars in the area may be prompting this special check of drivers. In addition, deputies will be in Clearwater after midnight on Saturday.
Find out what's happening in Pinellas Beachesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday, Dec. 9, 8-11 p.m., Church by the Sea, 495 137th Ave. Circle, Madeira Beach.
- Saturday, Dec. 10, 12:30-3:30 a.m., National Aviation Academy, 6225 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater.
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