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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Nov. 1, 2010
CONTACT: Capt. Kevin Joffer or Lt. Alan Welsh, SD Highway Patrol, (605) 367-5700
Sobriety Checkpoints Net 29 DUI Arrests
What: Sobriety Checkpoints
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 2010, beginning at 11 p.m.
Where: Minnehaha County, I-229 east side of Sioux Falls and I-29 on the west side of Sioux Falls.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The South Dakota Highway Patrol held two sobriety checkpoints last weekend on the interstate highway system within Sioux Falls.
The first was held on I-229 near 26th Street. The second was held on I-29 between 12th Street and 26th Street. The checks were held consecutively, first on I-229 and later on I-29. The first check began at 11 p.m. and the second check ended at 3 a.m.
During the checkpoints, 48 arrests were made, including 29 for DUI. The Highway Patrol also made eight arrests for illegal drugs, nine for other miscellaneous violations and two on arrest warrants.
Highway Patrol Capt. Kevin Joffer said the DUI numbers generated in such a short period of time does concern him. However, he also believes his Troopers removed drivers from the highways who otherwise would have been a danger to themselves and the rest of the motoring public that night.
“We may have prevented an alcohol-related tragedy from occurring that night,’’ Joffer said.
Joffer said he appreciates the cooperation that exists between the Highway Patrol, the Sioux Falls Police Department and Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management.
“We are all working toward the same goal, to make our highways safer for our citizens,’’ Joffer said.
Minnehaha County Emergency Management, Minnehaha County Sheriff Deputies and Reserve Officers and Sioux Falls Police Department assisted the South Dakota Highway Patrol at the checkpoints.
Locations of sobriety checkpoints are based on areas deemed problematic by researching crashes and alcohol violations. The purpose of the checkpoints is to remove drunk drivers from the roadway and deter drunk driving in the future. This creates safer roads for all drivers.
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