Sobriety Checkpoint Set For Holiday Weekend In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA—Police are cracking down on intoxicated driving during the busy Thanksgiving weekend. But in Northern Virginia, just one has been announced for the long holiday weekend.

Fairfax County Police will hold a sobriety checkpoint in the West Springfield District from 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24 to 2 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25.

Police are not saying where the checkpoint will happen but remind residents to not drink and drive. See boundaries of the West Springfield District here.

When Fairfax County Police conduct checkpoints, hundred of drivers pass through and are screened for alcohol use. Last year, 1,980 people were charged with driving under the influence in Fairfax County. That's an increase of over 100 from the previous year. In Virginia, the legal limit of blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 percent.

Holiday travelers passing through Maryland should also expect checkpoints somewhere in Montgomery County and Howard County.

In addition, Virginia State Police are increasing traffic enforcement from Wednesday, Nov. 22 through midnight Sunday, Nov. 26. Last Thanksgiving, state troopers arrested 132 drunk drivers. The increased enforcement comes in light of an increase in traffic deaths—there have been 710 deaths up to Nov. 16 compared to 640 during the same time frame last year.

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