CENTRE COUNTY — The Pennsylvania State Police at Rockview notified Centre County residents in a public information release on Tuesday, June 18, that they would be ramping up sobriety checkpoints over the next few weeks.
With the excitement of Fourth of July fishing trips and barbeques approaching as the holiday gets closer, drivers should expect an incoming campaign from the Pennsylvania State Police on increased enforcement of roads, which will include sobriety checkpoints.
“When there is an indication that a driver has consumed alcohol or controlled substances or committed another violation of the law the occupant may be detained for further information,” the release stated.
The press release also explained that, although there will be an emphasis on driving under the influence violations during the sobriety checkpoints in Centre County, all other laws will still be enforced as well.
Every year, the Pennsylvania State Police conducts patrols and checkpoints to make sure drivers are safe during the holiday weekend.
According to PSP, during the 2023 Fourth of July weekend, Pennsylvania had:
- 668 total crashes
- 59 of those crashes were alcohol-related
- Three fatal crashes
- Three people killed
- 194 people injured
Out of these statistics, 27 of the crashes were from Centre County, six of the crashes were alcohol-related in Centre County and seven of the injuries were in Centre County.
Police are notonly worried in regard to people driving under the influence but also about people boating under the influence.
On June 9, 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission came together to find ways to urge people to stay safe during the holiday weekend.
This event kicked off Operation Dry Water, and this year’s heightened awareness and enforcement weekend is set to occur July 4 through July 6.
“Law enforcement agencies that participate in Operation Dry Water are asked to increase BUI enforcement during the targeted enforcement,” the Operation Dry Water website states.
PSP’s Fourth of July holiday enforcement spanned from June 30 through July 4 last year. This year’s dates have yet to be announced. Visit psp.pa.gov for more information and details.
