Department of Commerce and Regulation
For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 11, 2002
For More Information: Col. Tom Dravland or Maj. Dan Mosteller, 773-3105

Summer Sobriety Checkpoint Campaign Continues to Arrest Drunk Drivers

(Pierre) – The South Dakota Highway Patrol’s Summer Sobriety Checkpoint Campaign continues to be a success, despite the cancellation of five checkpoints due to the Grizzly Gulch Fire.

Officers processed 332 cars at the various checkpoints during the past two-week reporting period, which resulted in 7 DUI arrests and 9 other alcohol-related arrests. In addition, officers administered 71 PBT tests to possible impaired drivers. There were 3 fatal accidents during the past two weeks in South Dakota – one was alcohol related.

"We are pleased with how well the program has gone so far," said Col. Tom Dravland, the Superintendent of the Highway Patrol. "But we are still making drunk driving arrests, which means that some people feel it is acceptable to jeopardize their lives and the lives of others by drinking and driving."

During the last two weeks, checkpoints were held in the following counties: Deuel, Marshall, Hand, Hughes, Tripp, Minnehaha, Charles Mix, Yankton, Moody, Meade, Mellette, Fall River, Jackson, and Pennington.

The next round of checkpoints will be held in twelve counties: Beadle, Brown, Charles Mix, Custer, Kingsbury, Lawrence, McCook, Minnehaha, Pennington, Roberts, Union and Walworth. The checkpoint campaign is the Highway Patrol’s latest effort to curb drinking and driving and to inform drivers of the new .08% blood alcohol limit law that went into effect on July 1.

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