Athens-Clarke County Police are reporting the results of three New Year’s Eve checkpoints, one on Cherokee Road, another on Epps Bridge Parkway, and a third on South Lumpkin Street in Athens. Police say five drivers were charged with DUI. Three dozen citations were issued, many for seat belt and child safety seat violations.
From the ACCPD…
On the night of New Year’s Eve (12/31/2023), the ACCPD Traffic Unit conducted vehicle checkpoints throughout Athens-Clarke County to ensure safe driving. ACCPD’s K9 unit and Tactical Dispatch Team / Mobile Command Vehicle assisted with the checkpoints. No outside agencies assisted in this checkpoint.
“The New Year’s Eve vehicle checkpoints were very successful. ACCPD made five DUI arrests and issued 36 citations, which included 14 seatbelt and four child restraint citations, said Sergeant Vincent Schill, a member of the ACCPD Traffic Unit and organizer of the vehicle checkpoints.
“Not only were unsafe drivers taken off the roadway, but officers had over 1,000 positive contacts with motorists and educated them on safe driving. Through proactive education, strategic enforcement, and community engagement, the ACCPD aims to reduce crashes, promote responsible driving behavior, and ultimately create safe roadways for those who live in and visit Athens.”
The following locations and activities were conducted: Checkpoint # 1: Cherokee Rd @ Satterfield Park: 1840 – 2140 (3 Hours) – 703 Vehicles Checked 1 – Arrest for Driving Outside of DUI Permit and No Valid Insurance 1 – Arrest for DUI - Alcohol, Failing to Obey Officer Directing Traffic, Open Container in Motor Vehicle, Driving while Declared a Habitual Violator 8 - Seatbelt Citations 4 – Child Restraint Citations 2 - Registration Citations 6 - DUI Investigations (No Arrest) 5 - No Valid License Citations 1 – Other License Violations
Checkpoint # 2: Epps Bridge Parkway @ Old Epps Bridge Rd: 2250-0100 (2 Hours 10 Minutes) – 210 Vehicles Checked 1 – Arrest for DUI – Drugs 1 – Arrest for DUI – Alcohol and Open Container in Motor Vehicle 1 – Arrest for DUI – Alcohol 1 – No Valid License Citation 1 – Seatbelt Violation 5 – DUI Investigations (No Arrest)
Checkpoint # 3: S. Lumpkin St. @ Wray St: 0140-0330 (1 Hour 50 Minutes) – 138 Vehicles Checked 1 – Arrest for DUI – Alcohol 1 – Agency Assist Arrest – ACCPD Officers Witnessed a Subject Stealing UGA Property. The subject was Arrested for Theft, Underage, and Possession of a Fake ID 1 – Seatbelt Citation 4 – Underage Consumption of Alcohol Citations 4 – DUI Investigations (No Arrest)
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