Arlington, Fairfax, State Police Teaming Up for Sobriety Checkpoint

A joint sobriety checkpoint is planned for next week by the Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police and the Fairfax County Police Department across two jurisdictions, according to a news release from Arlington County Police.

The checkpoint is scheduled for Friday, March 6. Police don’t disclose a checkpoint location ahead of time.

The stepped-up enforcement efforts are in support of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) National crackdown program on drunk driving that focuses on combining high-visibility enforcement with heightened public awareness through advertising and publicity, according to the news release.

If you find yourself driving Friday through the checkpoint location, here’s what you need to know, according to police:

Officers will stop all vehicles passing through the checkpoint and ask to see the licenses of drivers. Any driver suspected of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be directed to a safe area off the roadway for further observation and possible testing for intoxication.
The maximum penalty in Virginia for the first conviction for driving under the influence is 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine and a 12-month suspension of driving privileges.

Some states do not conduct sobriety checkpoints. Read more about checkpoints and more on the Governors Highway Safety Association Web site.