As travelers take to the roads and local residents gear up for the Memorial Day weekend, local police will hit the roads in an effort to keep the highways safe and free of drunk drivers.
The increased enforcement begins at 9 p.m. today as the Southern Regional Highway Safety Program sponsors a multi-agency DUI saturation sting.
Beckley Police Sgt. Paul Blume, director of the program, says extra officers from the Beckley, Mabscott and Sophia police departments, as well as from the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department and State Police, will be out in full force until 4 a.m. Saturday, concentrating on drunk driving patrols.
Blume says Memorial Day is one of the deadliest holidays for travelers and the purpose of tonight’s saturation sting is to get a safe start to the weekend.
“A lot of people will be traveling today, and in preparation for (other) people traveling, we want to get the message out quickly,” he said. “We want to let people know we’re going to be very aggressive with drunk driving.”
Blume said although the heaviest DUI concentration will be tonight there will be extra patrols throughout the holiday weekend.
In addition to the DUI patrols, extra officers enforcing the annual Click it or Ticket campaign will be on the roads looking for seatbelt violations.
Although Blume says Memorial Day ranks at or near the top of the deadliest holidays of the year, there are things travelers can do to help keep themselves and others safe.
“If you’re going to drink, designate a driver,” he said. “Most people know in advance if they’re going to be consuming alcohol. Be smart enough to designate a driver and have someone else drive you.
“With so many more people out on the roadways, it’s not only you you have to look out for, it’s everybody else.”
— E-mail: mjames@register-herald.com
Local News
Area police to conduct DUI saturation sting
Memorial Day weekend one of the deadliest holidays for travelers
- Local News
-
-
Mount Hope man sentenced on firearms charge
A Mount Hope man was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Charleston to more than five years in federal prison. Evan Darnell Wagner, 25, will serve 63 months for his October guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
-
Green pleads for fund-raising ban during session
Insisting his motives are both pure and sincere, Sen. Mike Green pleaded with his Senate colleagues Tuesday to ban fundraising by lawmakers while in a 60-day session.
-
Senators want to build veterans nursing home in Beckley
America has a shabby history of tending to the needs of its returning war veterans, but some West Virginia senators want to start making amends.
-
Commissioners urge public to look into free prescription drug card
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Raleigh County Commission, County Administrator John Humphrey expressed concern that there are not more uninsured county citizens taking advantage of a free prescription drug card through the National Association of Counties.
-
Body reportedly removed from Guyandotte River
Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department removed a body from the Guyandotte River at Brier Creek bridge Tuesday, according to Chief Deputy C.S. Parker.
-
Ronceverte merchant shares concerns with City Council
When Mary Glover and her son Chris opened a floral specialty shop in the River City four years ago, their Edgar Avenue location seemed ideal. But Mary Glover is now frustrated over what she perceives as a lack of community support for the small business.
-
Three men found dead in Rainelle home
Three men, a father and his two sons, were found dead inside their Rainelle home Tuesday, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
-
Glen Daniel bank robbery suspect nabbed quickly
A bank in Glen Daniel was targeted by an armed robber Tuesday afternoon who got away with an undisclosed amount of cash, but was apprehended moments later because of the actions of one brave deputy.
-
Fayette board member voices disapproval of energy program
At Monday’s Fayette County Board of Education meeting, board member David Arritt registered his disapproval of the county’s energy management program, which he compared to a “chain letter.”
- Calendar — Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Mount Hope man sentenced on firearms charge
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
