News: Loudoun County Sheriff's Has Sobriety Checkpoints Up Tonight as Part of St. Patrick's Day Weekend Enforcement

(March 15, 2013) - The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is urging motorists to plan a designated driver or a safe way home if you choose to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with alcohol this weekend.


As part of the agency's enforcement efforts to crackdown on drinking and driving this weekend, a sobriety checkpoint will be held on Friday, March 15th. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary Unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD will assist with the checkpoint.

"Be responsible or risk a DUI,"€ said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman. "€œIf you are going to celebrate this weekend with alcohol, designate a sober driver before your celebration begins."

Sheriff Chapman also reminded residents that the Washington Regional Alcohol Program will offer free cab rides from 4PM Sunday, March 17th to 4AM the following day, as part of the DC area SoberRide program. Loudoun (eastern) residents may call toll-free at 1-800-200-TAXI for a FREE (up to $30 fare) ride home.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office urges residents to take the following steps to have a safe and happy St. Patrick'€™s Day:

• Plan a designated driver or a safe way home ahead of time. 
• If you are impaired, call a taxi, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
• Immediately report any impaired drivers you see on our roadways to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. 
• Wear your seatbelt! Loudoun County Sheriff'€™s Office deputies will be out on patrol and will be on alert for impaired motorists. If you are caught drinking and driving, you will be arrested.