Sobriety checks net 14 violations

Cole County Sheriff's Department deputies made 138 stops during last weekend's St. Patrick's DWI enforcement.

Deputies and volunteer reserve deputies made three DWI arrests, two for driving while suspended, issued eight summons for speed and had one narcotics violation.

The traffic detail also issued two citations to a Cole County bar that remained open after hours.

Extra patrols were done since that weekend is one of the busiest periods of the year for DWI activity.

"There is a history of partying on St. Patrick's Day, but not a history of planning for a sober driver," said Sheriff Greg White. "Increased enforcement is necessary to arrest impaired drivers."

The Sheriff's Department was awarded $28,878 in traffic grants for 2012-13 to fund sobriety checkpoints and DWI enforcement while $5,000 will be used for overtime for hazardous moving violations.

Grant funds cover personnel, fuel and supplies.

So far in 2013, there have been 102 statewide traffic fatalities, down from 159 during the same period in 2012.

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