August 20, 2008

Sobriety Checkpoint in Seabrook

As a result of the increasing incidents of drinking and driving, the New Hampshire State Police, in cooperation with the Seabrook Police Department applied for, and was granted, a Superior Court Petition to conduct a "Sobriety Checkpoint."  The "Sobriety Checkpoint" is one of the most effective methods of deterring, detecting and apprehending the impaired driver.

The program, approved by the NH Highway Safety Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, provides federal highway safety funds to support this checkpoint, which will be conducted in Seabrook.

A review of records has shown that the use of alcohol by individuals who operate motor vehicles has resulted in a number of deaths and personal injury accidents.  Therefore, in an effort to maintain safe roads in Seabrook, the New Hampshire State Police Troop A, along with the Seabrook Police Department, Hampton Police Department and the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office, will be conducting a 'Sobriety Checkpoint' in the Seabrook area during the week of August 18, 2008.

The purpose of the "Sobriety Checkpoint" is to deter, detect and apprehend the impaired driver.  Troop A Commander Lieutenant Scott J. Carr, Seabrook Police Chief Patrick Manthorn, Hampton Police Chief James Sullivan and Rockingham County Sheriff Dan Linehan have taken an aggressive stance to prevent persons from driving when intoxicated.  New Hampshire has some of the most aggressive laws in the country to fight the intoxicated driver and the law enforcement community will use those tools to their full extent.

August 26, 2008 UPDATE

During the "Checkpoint" on August 22, 2008, which occurred along Route 1A, law enforcement screened a total of 741 vehicles. As a result, 11 subjects were arrested.