CENTERVILLE, Utah (ABC 4 News) - The weekend before Halloween means lots of costume parties and with that more people driving under the influence. Law enforcement has a new tool to crack down on DUI and they're showing it off to ABC4.
Late Saturday night drivers in Centerville are being stopped at DUI checkpoint. Police are looking for slurred speech, blood shot eyes and any stumbling walking the line.
“Have you seen how intimidating this is?” said Madison Morris, a driver stopped at the check point. Morris hasn’t had a drop to drink, but the process is alarming enough. “It's scary even though you've haven't taken any alcohol at all it's an intimidating thing and I think it'll definitely make people think twice about it.”
At the checkpoint, the Utah Highway is trying out its new tool to combat drunk driving. The mobile command center is specifically built for DUI testing. Officers have everything they need to process drivers who have been drinking right on the side of the road.
“They get everything they need and they’re done right here, we can go right to jail from here,” said Trooper Sean Thomas.
Centerville police had arrested at least one person for DUI at Saturday’s checkpoint. Police say it's not the number of arrests they care about, but sending a message about the trend of drunk driving that doesn't seem to improve.
“The situation has continued despite enforcement and education and so we just want to send a clear message to the motorists out that that we take it serious that we want people to be responsible when they are out drinking and make sure they don’t drive,” said Asst. Chief Paul Child, Centerville PD.
For any designated drivers stopped at the check point, police handed them a sort of reward-- coupons for a free meal at local fast food restaurants.
