Solon Police Holding Sobriety Checkpoint Friday

SOLON, OH — Solon police will run a sobriety checkpoint on Friday evening on SOM Center Road, between Aurora Road and Pettibone Road. The checkpoint is designed to detect impaired drivers before they cause accidents, police said.

“We want everyone to know that we will be out there for the benefit of the motoring public and pedestrians, we're working to make our roadways safe,” said Sgt. Roy Cunningham.

The exact location of the checkpoint will be released on Friday.

Police departments in Ohio are required by law to announce sobriety checkpoints and their locations prior to the operation. If law enforcement did not announce the checkpoints, residents could argue their Fourth Amendment rights had been violated.

As Solon police noted, sobriety checkpoints are meant to serve as a deterrent to drunken driving as much as a means of catching impaired drivers. Announcing checkpoints allows police to send a strong message — don't drink and drive, we'll be out there looking for you.

Solon police said if residents are planning to drink, they should:

• designate a driver
• call a cab
• stay at your home or a hotel
• call a friend or family member