Solon Police To Hold Drunken Driving Checkpoint

SOLON, OH - The Solon Police Department will conduct a drunken driving checkpoint in the city soon. The checkpoint will screen the sobriety of drivers, police said.

“Because impaired driving accounts for so many of our region’s traffic safety deaths, it is imperative that we find ways to keep impaired drivers off the roadways and to convince those who’ve been drinking not to get behind the wheel in the first place,” said Ptl. Roy Cunningham.

Solon police use two methods to screen for drunken drivers, sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols. At sobriety checkpoints, officers will stop all cars that enter the checkpoint and will then speak to drivers to determine if they've been drinking.

Saturation patrols deploy police to geographic areas where there have been a high incident of drunken driving arrests. Officers will look for signs of drunken driving, like speeding, weaving or otherwise erratic driving.

“Highly visible and well publicized checkpoints are an important part of the equation because they increase the perceived risk of arrest and make people think twice about drinking and driving,” explained Cunningham. “We want the public to know where we are, and we want those who read about the checkpoint to tell everyone they know that we’re cracking down on impaired driving in the City because we want everyone on our roadways to be safe.”

Solon police recommend that people that have been drinking never get behind the wheel. Instead, impaired people could:

• Go out with a designated driver
• Call a cab or ride service
• Stay at your home, a friend's home, or a hotel
• Call a friend or family member to pick you up