Three sobriety checkpoints are scheduled in Delaware for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend beginning Friday, May 28 at 10 p.m., and continuing into Saturday, May 29 at 2 a.m., according to the state's Office of Highway Safety.
The Friday before Memorial Day tends to show an increase in impaired drivers, officials said. The checkpoints are part of a weekend-long mobilization to educate Delawareans to plan ahead of their celebration festivities and always secure a sober ride home.
“A major component of these checkpoints is the deterrent effects it has on those who might drive drunk or drugged impaired, bringing about more awareness and encouraging everyone to plan ahead and use sober designated drivers,” explains Kimberly Chesser, Director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.
The following are the scheduled checkpoint locations for the holiday weekend:
- New Castle County – Limestone Road in Wilmington
- Kent County – U.S. 13 in Dover
- Sussex County – State Route 1 in Rehoboth Beach
The Memorial Day holiday DUI checkpoint activation will include seventy-four law enforcement officers from twenty local, county, and municipal police agencies in addition to Delaware State Police. At least one Drug Recognition Enforcement officer will be part of the checkpoint activation in each county. The checkpoint locations are in targeted areas known to have a high number of DUI arrests and crashes including both injuries and fatalities.
As more cars hit the road for Memorial Day weekend, OHS’s impaired driving awareness campaign messaging is being amplified statewide to not only encourage drivers to drive sober and plan ahead for a sober ride but to be aware of law enforcement who will be watching out for impaired drivers across the state to keep our roads safer.
Campaign tactics include billboards throughout the state, digital media, on-demand video streaming platform messaging, plus social media and organic posts via Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. Delawareans who are currently subscribed for our text alert updates will see a text message come through notifying them of the upcoming DUI checkpoints planned for this weekend, including the locations. To sign up for OHS text alert updates, visit https://www.arrivealivede.com/drive-sober/.
For more information on the campaign, statistics, and education, visit https://www.arrivealivede.com/drive-sober/. From here, website visitors can discover the Arrive Alive DE Visualizer DUI-Involved Crash Tool which helps drivers visualize the impact DUI-involved crashes have had on the state of Delaware over the past 5 years and test their knowledge through the DUI.Q interactive tool to educate them on facts about alcohol, drugs, and the effects on their driving.
