Sobriety Checkpoint Coming to Central New Hampshire

MANCHESTER, NH - As a result of the increasing incidents of drinking and driving, the Manchester Police Department applied for, and was granted, a Superior Court petition to conduct a Sobriety Checkpoint this weekend, according to Lt. Brian O'Keefe of the Manchester Police Department.

The Sobriety Checkpoint, police believe, is "the most effective method of detecting and apprehending the impaired operator." The program, approved by the NH Highway Safety Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, provides federal highway safety funds to support these checkpoints.

"A review of records has shown that the use of alcohol by individuals who operate motor vehicles has resulted in an alarming number of deaths and personal injury accidents," O'Keefe noted in a press statement. "Therefore, in an effort to maintain safe roads in Manchester, the Manchester Police Department will be conducting a Sobriety Checkpoint in the Manchester area on Friday, April 22, 2016 and Saturday, April 23, 2016."

The purpose of the Sobriety Checkpoint is to detect and apprehend the impaired driver, he noted.

Manchester Police Chief Willard has taken "an aggressive stance to prevent persons from driving when intoxicated," O'Keefe stated. New Hampshire has some of the most aggressive laws in the country to fight the intoxicated driver and the law enforcement community will use those tools to their full extent.