POLICE TO SET UP SOBRIETY CHECKS

Cape Girardeau police announced Thursday that sobriety checkpoints will be set up this weekend.

December has been designated National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3-D) Prevention Month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Focus of the program is to save lives by eliminating impaired drivers from roadways.

Police Chief Rick Hetzel said his department and the Cape Girardeau Safe Communities Program ask the public's assistance in reducing the number of impaired drivers on highway, especially during the holidays when statistics indicate the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents increases.

National alcohol enforcement programs have helped reduce alcohol-related traffic fatalities to the lowest percentage in the history of reporting, Hetzel said.

"In spite of the decrease in alcohol-related traffic fatalities, our community must continue to strive for a greater reduction in alcohol-related traffic violations," he said.