Police officers from three agencies on grant-funded overtime shifts joined forces last week to drive home a point about safe driving.
Twenty-two officers from the Grantsville City Police Department, Stockton Police Department and Utah Highway Patrol conducted a traffic safety checkpoint Friday night on Grantsville Main Street near the city cemetery.
They stopped and checked a total of 362 vehicles. Four drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, and one was cited for possession of marijuana.
Beyond substance-related action, officers also cited 56 drivers for various indiscretions, including equipment violations like broken windshields, driving without a valid license, driving without valid proof of insurance and expired registration.
The checkpoint, which was approved last January, was funded by the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Lt. Steve Barrett of the Grantsville City Police Department said the purpose of the checkpoint was to increase local awareness that police are on the lookout for impaired and unsafe drivers.
Checkpoints are placed at different places on highways around the state, including highways that go through towns. Grantsville’s Main Street is SR-138.
“It’s mainly to curb down on the impaired driving, the reckless driving and all that,” said Barrett. “It promotes safety and safe driving, and makes sure we get impaired drivers off the road.”