Montgomery County Towns Increasing DUI Checkpoints Through Labor Day

Through Labor Day, Montgomery County towns—including in Lower Merion—will increase DUI checkpoints after receiving federal funds, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Normally, PennDOT funds localized, weekend-long efforts that involve DUI checkpoints.

Working in cooperation with the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative, 36 local police departments—and 600 statewide—will “conduct roving patrols and checkpoints targeting motorists under the influence of drugs or alcohol," according to a PennDOT news release. Statewide enforcement will be upped and PennDOT officials are encouraging individual municipalities to wave border-to-border enforcement.

‘Do everyone a favor by designating a driver.’

Lower Merion Police Superintendent Mike McGrath recently is legally mandated.

“There is a benefit of advertising that these checkpoints take place, because hopefully there will be a deterrent effect on some drivers,” though by no means all, McGrath said.

“People may have end-of-summer plans that involve alcohol, but safety should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind,” PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. “Getting behind the wheel when you’re impaired by drugs or alcohol puts your life in danger, as well as the lives of everyone sharing the road with you. Do everyone a favor by designating a driver.”

PennDOT distributed $4.2 million in federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Last year, there were 169 alcohol-related crashes and five fatalities during Labor Day weekend in 2010.