News Release



For further information please contact:

Sgt. Larry W. Plunkett, Jr (573) 840-9500

plunkl@mshp.state.mo.us

#: 2005-01-01

Date: January 3, 2004



EMPHASIS: Troop E Announces Plans to Conduct Sobriety Checkpoints





Captain George E. Ridens, Commanding Officer of Troop E, announced today that sobriety checkpoints will be conducted in Scott and Cape Girardeau counties during the month of January. The Missouri State Highway Patrol will conduct the sobriety checkpoints at locations identified for traffic crashes and arrests involving impaired drivers. The checkpoints will be conducted in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, including the Cape Girardeau Police Department.



Captain Ridens stated, “These are the first sobriety checkpoints to be conducted in 2005, but they will not be the last. The Missouri State Highway Patrol recognizes the importance of removing intoxicated drivers from the roadways, and we will continue our efforts to achieve that goal. Nearly 25% off all fatal traffic crashes involve alcohol or drug impaired drivers, that’s not acceptable when it means almost 250 lives each year.”



The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages anyone who observes careless and imprudent driving that endangers the public, or a driver who they feel may be impaired, to notify local law enforcement or the Patrol immediately. Those emergency numbers include *55 for cell phone users and toll-free at 1-800-525-5555.