PARKERSBURG - Law enforcement agencies will be out in full force over the Labor Day weekend watching for drunken driving, speeding and other traffic violations.
"This is an important time for officers in terms of catching drunk drivers," said Sgt. W.K. Marshall with the West Virginia State Police in Charleston. "Our officers will be out patrolling all the major roads in Wood County."
The West Virginia State Police is using funds from Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) to allow for extra troopers over holiday weekends. Officials will be looking for speeders, aggressive drivers, seat belt violations and improperly restrained children.
Seven troopers from the Parkersburg detachment will be working extra shifts over the weekend.
"We've greatly increased DUI arrests in Wood County over the past year and a half, and we want to continue to do so," said Marshall.
Wood County Sheriff's Department will have three extra deputies working tonight and Sunday.
"Even our executives and our captains will be working this weekend," said Sheriff Jeff Sandy. "We will be prepared."
Deputies will be on the lookout for drunken drivers, but Sandy said he has seen a decrease in DUIs over holiday weekends this year, perhaps due to an increase in public awareness.
Parkersburg police Chief Gerald Board said officers will be watching for red light violations, speeding and drunken drivers.
"We always have more officers working on holiday weekends," said Board. "Anytime you have heavy traffic leaking in from clubs and restaurants, law enforcement pays close attention."
Drivers on the Ohio side of the river will also be watched carefully by the officials.
"Historically, the Labor Day Holiday is one of the deadliest on Ohio's roadways," said Lt. M.A. Pfeifer with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. "Think twice before getting behind the wheel while intoxicated."
In Ohio last year, 18 people were killed in car crashes, with seven crashes being alcohol related, Pfeifer said.
The Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Highway Safety Program will be setting up sobriety checkpoints this weekend throughout nine West Virginia counties, including Wood, Jackson, Wirt and Ritchie counties.
Toni Tiano, program administrator, said U.S. 50 is one of the main roads officials concentrate on.
"With it being the last big weekend of summer, and with football games going on, you might see people drinking more than usual," Tiano said.
During sobriety checkpoints, law enforcement officials stop every fifth or 10th car, perhaps less if traffic is heavy, she said.
"They will talk to the driver, and if they smell alcohol or if there is a reason to believe alcohol has been consumed, sobriety tests may be performed," Tiano said. "But believe it or not, no matter how much we advertise that officials will be on the lookout, we still get a few DUIs over the holiday weekend."
Tiano said the checkpoints raise awareness and let the public know that law enforcement takes drunken driving seriously.
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