The South Dakota Highway Patrol has announced its plans to conduct sobriety checkpoints in 14 counties throughout the state during June. The initiative aims to deter impaired driving and promote road safety as the summer season begins.
According to a release from the Highway Patrol, the checkpoints will be set up in the following counties: Beadle, Brookings, Brule, Butte, Codington, Day, Hanson, Hughes, Jackson, Jerauld, Lawrence, Lincoln, Pennington, and Union.
These regular monthly checkpoints are a proactive measure designed to encourage individuals to refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol. The South Dakota Office of Highway Safety funds the initiative. It will be carried out by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, often with the support of local law enforcement agencies.
State officials are emphasizing that the presence of these scheduled checkpoints should not be the sole reason for drivers to make responsible choices. They urge all individuals to avoid drinking and driving at all times, regardless of whether a checkpoint is planned in their specific county. Those who have consumed alcohol are strongly advised to designate a sober driver, utilize ride-sharing services, taxis, or other forms of public transportation to ensure they and others on the road remain safe.
The South Dakota Office of Highway Safety and the Highway Patrol are both agencies within the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Through these sobriety checkpoints and ongoing public awareness efforts, they are working to reduce the incidence of drunk driving and enhance the safety of South Dakota’s roadways.
You can read the full article at KXLG.