Patrol, Cape police team up to run sobriety checkpoints

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, working in conjunction with the Cape Girardeau Police Department, arrested 10 motorists for suspicion of driving while intoxicated and made 29 misdemeanor and infraction arrests during a July 31 sobriety checkpoint in Scott and Cape Girardeau counties.

The patrol also issued 127 warnings for various violations. The checkpoints stopped approximately 190 vehicles that day.

Sobriety checkpoints are targeted at areas identified for high numbers of alcohol related arrests and traffic crashes.

According to Capt. George Ridens, commanding officer for MSHP Troop E, "These DWI checkpoints were a success because several potential deadly accidents were prevented before any damage was done. Our goal is not only to arrest intoxicated drivers, but also to educate the public that drinking and driving is not an acceptable practice."

According to Ridens, Missouri statistics show that nearly 25 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state are the result of drinking and driving. That number equates to nearly 300 deaths per year.