POLICE TO HOLD SOBRIETY TESTS ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Sobriety checkpoints will be setup at various places by Cape Girardeau police during the Memorial Day weekend.

The program is to help keep the streets safer by identifying intoxicated drivers, said Sgt. J.R. Davis, with the police department's traffic division.

"There's always a lot of heavy traffic during Memorial Day," Davis said. "We want to make sure the streets are safe."

Officers will set up sobriety checkpoints at various sites throughout the city.

"I don't want to tell the drunks where we're at so they can get around us," Davis said.

Drivers suspected of driving while intoxicated will be given roadside standardized field sobriety tests to determine intoxication. Motorists confirmed to be intoxicated will be arrested. Drivers who are not intoxicated will be allowed to proceed with minimal delay.

Officers will follow a criteria as to which cars to check, Davis said.

"They will check every car, or every fifth car or something of that nature," Davis said.

While some area motorists might be inconvenienced by the checkpoints, Davis said the police department appreciates the citizens patience and cooperation. He said that their patience will assist in this important safety effort.