Local law enforcement agencies will be setting up sobriety checkpoints to prevent drunk driving this week for Thanksgiving, the state Department of Motor Vehicles announced.
The Special Traffic and Options Program for Driving While Intoxicated warned motorists on Tuesday that local law enforcement agencies will also be cracking down on drivers impaired by prescription and illegal drugs, along with alcohol this week until Dec. 1.
On Nov. 1, a stronger Leandra’s Law went into effect that requires convicted drunk drivers to install an ignition interlock on their vehicle, Gannett’s Ashley Hupfl reports.
First-time offenders found driving while intoxicated or impaired by drugs or alcohol with children under the age of 16 can be charged with a class E felony and can be sentenced with up to four years in prison.
In 2012, there were 8,633 alcohol-related crashes in the state that resulted in 358 fatalities and 6,303 injured, the Department of Motor Vehicles reported.
