York Town News

Police announce Labor Day Weekend crackdown on drunk, drugged drivers

YORK - In an effort to get drunk drivers off the roadways, the York Police Department will be adding extra officers over the Labor Day holiday.

"We will be out in force conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols in both marked and unmarked patrol cars. Officers will be looking for those drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs," said York Police Chief Douglas Bracy. "The message is simple: Drunk driving, over the limit - under arrest."

The York Police Department will start the weekend off with a sobriety/safety checkpoint. Officers will be conducting the checkpoints Friday night from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on various roadways in York. The checkpoints will be stet up on Route 1, Route 1A, the Spur Road, Chase's Pond Road and Long Sands Road.

The checkpoints will move to the different locations during the event.

The York Police Department is one of several police agencies in Maine that received an OUI (Operating Under Influence) Grant from the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety.

"The grant allows us to pay extra officers to come in and concentrate on arresting the alcohol and drugged impaired driver," said Sgt. Thomas Baran. "Far too many people still don't understand that alcohol, drugs and driving don't mix. Impaired driving is no accident - nor is it a victimless crime."

To avoid making a potentially deadly mistake and driving under the influence, the York Police Department recommends:
  • Whenever you plan on consuming alcohol, designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys.
  • If you're impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend.
  • If you're hosting a party, make sure food and non-alcoholic drinks are available and be ready to provide a place for guests to stay or rides home.
  • Wear you safety belt while in a car - it is your best defense against an impaired driver.
  • Promptly report any drunk drivers to law enforcement so efforts can be made to get them off our roadways.
Impaired driving is one of America's most often committed and deadliest crimes, according to police.

In 2004 alone, more than 13,000 people died as a result of drivers whose blood alcohol concentration was a .08 or higher, according to statistics compiled on www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

The York Police Department wants to remind motorists that everyone needs to do their part by not driving while impaired and making sure friends don't allow friends to drive while impaired.

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