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Officers cite DUI, seatbelt violators
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Posted on Aug 28 2008
The Department of Public Safety arrested two individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol during last weekend’s checkpoints.
DPS Sgt. Paul Ogumoro said there were two arrests in Chalan Lau Lau Saturday—one on Middle Road and one on Beach Road.
“I think the number is indicative of public awareness of checkpoints,” Ogumoro said. “We’ll continue to conduct sobriety checkpoints as we are about to enter Labor Day and the holidays, especially back to school.”
Ogumoro said police cited 16 individuals for seatbelt violations along Middle Road and 13 on Beach Road in Chalan Lau Lau.
When asked about the fact the public knows where the checkpoints are and might avoid those areas, Ogumoro said he doesn’t think that is the case.
“It’s part of deterrence,” he said. “The point is if they know there is a checkpoint, I think they will be very careful in their drinking and driving.”
Any citation or arrest is documented so it can be used in the future if necessary, he said. The Attorney General’s Office may use the documents in court.
If traffic is slow, officers inspect about every third car. If there is medium traffic, about every fifth car is checked, and during high traffic, every10th car is checked, Ogumoro said.
Even without checkpoints, officers are still watching out for DUI violators, he said.
“They’ll do what they have to do, pull over, conduct DUI process if they believe the driver is consuming intoxicating liquor,” he added.
