DUI Checkpoints Come To Loudoun County For Black Friday

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — DUI saturation patrols are coming to Loudoun County on Black Friday, the sheriff's office announced.

Authorities did not specify where the checkpoints would be held in the county. However, the sheriff's office said they would focus on areas that have seen a high rate of DUI crashes and arrests in the past.

"We are committed to ensuring the public is safe while traveling along our roadways and we want to remind residents to make smart choices, don't drink and drive," Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said.

The Thanksgiving weekend can be a dangerous time on roadways throughout Virginia. Last year, there were 12 traffic fatalities during the five-day Thanksgiving weekend in Virginia, according to Virginia State Police.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles stated that alcohol-related traffic fatalities have decreased by 37 per cent in the last 30 years. However, statistics show that one in six people will be involved in alcohol-related crash in their lifetime.

In 2019, 264 of Virginia's traffic fatalities were related to alcohol, according to the DMV. Alcohol-related crashes accounted for 32 per cent of traffic fatalities across the state.

Virginia's drunken driving laws are among the harshest in the nation, the DMV said. If a driver is convicted for a first DUI offense, the minimum punishment includes a $250 fine and a revocation of the driver's license for one year. A DUI conviction can also require the installation of an ignition interlock device.

Even fighting a DUI conviction can prove to be costly. According to the Virginia DMV, a DUI can cost between $5,000 and $20,000.

Across the country, 28 people die in drunken driving crashes every day, according to the DMV.

Resources are available for people who are struggling with addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a 24/7 hotline that can help people find resources and get the help they need.