Sobriety checkpoints will be in place through holiday weekend

The Labor Day weekend is often celebrated with family and social gatherings as the unofficial end of summer.

Local and state law enforcement will also be on the roads through the holiday conducting an impaired driving enforcement campaign. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute urges drivers to use caution while behind the wheel. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Executive Director Devon McDonald said drivers should use caution and observe basic common sense while behind the wheel.

“Slow down, make sure you're wearing your seatbelt and do not drive impaired. You know, this holiday weekend is a good weekend that folks get together, they go to cookouts, they do whatever else,” McDonald said. “If you know you're going to go to an event or a cookout or something like that, and maybe consume some adult beverages or whatever, just be smart about it; plan how you're going to get home.”

Officers statewide will set up sobriety checkpoints to crack down on those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. McDonald said encountering a checkpoint should not be stressful.

“Stay calm and relaxed. Just comply with whatever the officers’ requests are. If they ask you to pull over, then pull over, make sure you're following the rules,” McDonald said. “If you're not impaired and you're wearing your seatbelt and not distracted, then you have nothing to worry about. They’re going to do what they need to do, and then they're just going to let you go and then you’re on your way.”

Local and state law enforcement agencies encourage residents to plan ahead and use available resources like ridesharing, public transportation or a designated driver.