Sobriety Check Point turns up five violations

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A two-hour sobriety checkpoint in Moody County on Friday, Dec. 15 ended in five people being arrested or ticketed for alcohol and drug violations.

One driver was arrested for drunken driving, and one was cited for having an open container. In addition, three citations were written for various drug violations, according to the state Department of Public Safety.

A total of 112 vehicles went through the checkpoint which was at Lone Tree (Highway 34 and County Road 77A).

The South Dakota Highway Patrol conducted the checkpoint, and Moody County deputies assisted, said Sheriff Troy Wellman. Drivers who went through the area were stopped, questioned and tested if they were suspected of having been drinking.

Col. Craig Price, superintendent of the highway patrol, said more troopers will be out during the holiday season. He encouraged drivers to be extra careful.

“Slow down, focus on your driving, don’t drink and drive, and wear your seatbelt,” he said in a news release. “These four factors are consistently reported as contributing factors in many of the crashes the highway patrol investigates.”