The Lancaster County sheriff’s office conducted a sobriety checkpoint Friday night. After six hours, deputies had one DUI suspect under arrest. They issued several dozen other citations.
The checkpoint was part of the “You Drink & Drive, You Lose” national campaign. It is designed to crack down on drunk and impaired drivers.
With the help of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Friday night, 14 deputies contacted 418 vehicles and made five criminal arrests. Twenty four citations were issued and 58 warnings were issued.
Three drivers were found to be driving with a suspended license. Four were cited for having an open alcohol container in the vehicle.
Among the other citations issued: two seat belt violations, eight no proof of insurance, six various traffic law violations, two minors in possession of alcohol, one procuring alcohol for a minor, one possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, one possession of drug paraphernalia.
The sobriety checkpoint ran from 8pm Friday until 2am.
During those same hours Saturday and Sunday night, deputies contacted another 51 vehicles which resulted in nine criminal arrests. Those included three people who had outstanding warrants and six minors for being in possession of alcohol.
Overtime compensation was paid for by a mini-grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety.
