Bristol Twp., Penndel Police Taking Part In DUI Checkpoint

September 2, 2022

Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office

Two Levittown-area police departments are teaming up with other agencies to conduct a DUI checkpoint.

Bristol Township and Penndel Borough police will join with Bedminster Township, Hilltown Township, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Richland Township, and Warringtown Township police on the checkpoint slated for late Friday night into early Saturday morning.

The more than two dozen officers from the departments will establish and run a DUI checkpoint on Route 611 in Warrington Township, a busy thoroughfare.

The Labor Day weekend checkpoint will start Friday at 10 p.m. and run until Saturday at 3 a.m., according to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

“If you plan on drinking or doing drugs, don’t drive. There are many ways of getting a sober ride home, either by using a designated driver or a rideshare program,” the district attorney’s office said.

District Attorney Matt Weintraub urged people to call 9-1-1 if they spot an impaired driver. He also urged people to ignore considering whether they are being rude and take the keys from people who are considering getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

“If you drive hammered, you will get nailed,” he said.

Pennsylvania State Police will also be conducting stepped up enforcement over the holiday weekend.

Data from PennDOT shows that over the holiday weekend in 2021, there were 945 collisions statewide that resulted in 12 fatalities. Of those, 106 crashes with four fatalities involved alcohol, while 38 crashes with three fatalities involved drugs.

“We want Pennsylvanians to celebrate the end of summer with a plan,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “If your celebration includes alcohol, plan ahead for a sober driver. Make plans with a friend, use a ride-share service, or public transportation, but never plan to drive impaired.”

State police Drug Recognition Expert Program Coordinator Cpl. John Witkowski demonstrates the drug-detection field sobriety tests during a demonstration in Harrisburg.
Credit: PA Internet News Service

“We urge travelers to slow down, buckle up, and use caution when traveling over the holiday weekend,” said Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Colonel Robert Evanchick. “Troopers will actively enforce traffic and DUI laws, and we have a zero-tolerance approach toward driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

In the region, troopers will ramp up their patrols Friday through Monday at 11:59 p.m. They will also be looking aggressive drivers.

“This safety initiative P.A.D.E.E.P (Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement Education Program) targets drivers who aggressively operate their motor vehicle in a manner which is dangerous to members of the public, which include speeding, seat belt violations, and child seat belt infractions,” troopers said.