Police take advantage of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations to nab drivers for DUI

Checkpoints set up on St. Patrick’s Day in Virginia Beach resulted in five arrests for driving under the influence. According to the Selective Enforcement Team, which specializes in DUI and traffic incidents, the biggest days for DUIs are St. Patrick’s Day, July 4, Labor Day, and New Year’s Eve.

Between 8pm and 1am on St. Patrick’s Day, Virginia Beach police checked 328 cars at three different checkpoints. When officers stop a vehicle at a checkpoint, they ask for the driver’s license and registration, look for broken equipment on the vehicle, check that seat belts are being used correctly, and check for signs of impairment. Checkpoints are usually set up in areas with a high concentration of bars.

According to officers trained to spot drivers under the influence, signs of impairment include speeding, weaving, and driving without headlights. They claim that most offenders are white males between the ages of 21 and 35, and most arrests are made after midnight.

If convicted of a DUI, which is a Class I misdemeanor in Virginia, the individuals arrested face a $2,500 fine, up to a year in jail, and the loss of their license. However, the court does have the option to waive the penalties and substitute the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program. The program focuses on alcohol education and counseling.

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