The following video depicts a drunk driving arrest. Although conditions were simulated to be real, this is only a dramatization. Thunder 104.5's Braden Smith was asked to become intoxicated for this education video, however no state or local laws were broken at any time. Production of this video was supervised by local police.

The Issue

In Our Region

• In our Region on average there were over 1,200 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities involving a driver or motorcycle rider with an illegal BAC of .08 or higher in the multi-state area.
• Law enforcement agencies continue to move forward aggressively with the Checkpoint Strikeforce program each year.
• The CPSF message is simple. No matter what you drive - a passenger car, pickup, sport utility vehicle, commercial vehicle or motorcycle - if you are caught driving impaired, you will be arrested. No exceptions. No excuses.

The Response

What is Checkpoint Strikeforce?

Checkpoint Strikeforce is a research-based, multi-state, zero-tolerance initiative designed to get impaired drivers off our roads using checkpoints and patrols when and where drunk driving is most likely to occur and, to educate the public about dangers and consequences of drunk driving. The premise behind this program is simple, there will be sobriety checkpoints, every week, every where - in each participating state - so you never know when or where you may encounter one.

The program began in 2002 as a six-month initiative but due to its success, was expanded to a year-round effort in 2005. The year-long program is comprised of six months of intense enforcement (At least 1 checkpoint per week from July through December) and six months sustained (At least 1 checkpoint per month from January through June). The checkpoints can be multi-agency, cross-jurisdictional, low-manpower, conducted during happy hour, or any other innovative type. Every checkpoint should be highly publicized and visible and ideally supplemented with saturation patrols.

Although Checkpoint Strikeforce began as a Region 3 program (including the state of DE, MD, PA, VA, WV and the District of Columbia), efforts are underway to expand the initiative to other states. We welcome any and all law enforcement agencies interested in combating drunk driving to join "the force". For further details on how your law enforcement agency can become part of the Checkpoint Strikeforce team, call 410-962-7942.