The location for Saturday’s checkpoint was chosen based on local traffic collision data. Analysis of data captured in June indicated that a particular geographical area within Vanderburgh County accounted for a disproportionately high number of reported hit and run crashes. The upcoming checkpoint will be located within that area. Hit and run crashes are often the result of impaired drivers who try to avoid arrest by fleeing the scene.
The Evansville-Vanderburgh County Traffic Safety Partnership conducts sobriety checkpoints in an effort to detect and deter impaired drivers (thereby reducing the occurrence of alcohol and drug related traffic crashes).
Sheriff Dave Wedding cautions the motoring public, “This year, nearly 800 people in Indiana will lose their lives in a motor vehicle crash. 20 percent of those crashes will involve an impaired driver.” Sheriff Wedding added, “We don’t conduct sobriety checkpoints for any other reason than to save lives.”
Related Media Release: 2014-NR-053
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