Sobriety Checkpoint In Essex County: State Police

DANVERS, MA — This weekend be aware that State Police are setting up a “Sobriety Checkpoint” in Essex County from Saturday Nov. 11 into Sunday, Nov. 12., thanks to a Highway Safety grant.

The goal? In part, it's to raise awareness at the number of people who drinking or drive under the influence, and it's in part to get people to stop doing it.

"The purpose is to further educate the motoring public and strengthen the public’s awareness to the need of detecting and removing those motorists who operate under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs from our roadways," reads the announcement in a press release.

The State Police did not say what time of day the check points would be set up, but they said the cars they chose to stop wouldn't be arbitrary.

From DMV.org:

Massachusetts uses your blood alcohol content (BAC) to determine whether you're legally driving under the influence. Below are the BAC limits and their corresponding ages or qualifiers:

• 0.08% or higher―Drivers 21 years old or older operating regular passenger vehicles.
• 0.04% or higher―Drivers operating commercial vehicles.
• 0.02% or higher―Drivers younger than 21 years old.

Additional Drug and Alcohol Crimes

Massachusetts mandates additional drug- and alcohol-related laws, beyond typical OUI laws in Chapter 2 of the MA Driver's Manual, some highlights:
Open Container Law
It's illegal to operate a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol anywhere in the vehicle, no matter who's holding it. This means you can't drive with an empty liquor bottle in your backseat, nor have a passenger drinking a can of beer.
Break this law and you face a $100 - $500 fine.
Other Medications and Drugs
You can also expect an officer to pull you over if any prescription, illegal drug, or over-the-counter medication is affecting your ability to drive. Depending on factors specific to your case, you could face an OUI conviction just as you would for drunk driving.
The state will revoke your learner's permit or driver's license for any drug conviction. Revocation periods vary between 1 year and 5 years.

OUI Crimes and Penalties

Many OUI penalties are the same for drivers of all ages.

Operating Under the Influence

If you're convicted of operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or some other abused chemical substance, your penalties depend largely on the number of offenses you've had.
You can expect to face administrative penalties enforced by the RMV, as well as criminal penalties upon court conviction but the fines and penalties depend on your specific case.
And when it comes to OUI and license suspension, the RMV takes into consideration your entire driving history, including prior incidents and alcohol education programs.
First Offense
Administrative Penalties

• Driver's license suspension: 45 to 90 days.
• A license reinstatement fee ranging from $50 to $1,200, depending on the specifics of the situation.

Criminal Penalties

• License suspension for 1 year.
• $500 - $5,000 fine.
• Possible jail time up to 2 1/2 years.
• Possible alcohol education program (see below).
  • • Drivers under 18 years old must attend a Youth Alcohol Program (YAP) and serve an additional suspension period of 1 year.
  • • Drivers between 18 and 21 years old must attend a Youth Alcohol Program (YAP) and serve an additional suspension period of 180 days..

Read the other cliff notes version of the penalties associated with OUI's and chemical tests here.

Photo of State Police by Jenna Fisher/Patch