YORK COUNTY — York County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Maine State Police troopers and other law enforcement the make up the Regional Impaired Driving Enforcement Team will be conducting sobriety checkpoints tonight, May 23.

Locations could include Route 111 in the Lyman and Arundel areas, Route 1 in Arundel and Route 202 in Waterboro, said York County Sheriff William L. King Jr.

King  said the RIDE team members are skilled in the detection of drug and alcohol impairment.

“These details are being utilized to apprehend drivers who operate under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs,”” King said in a statement. “Impaired drivers are a serious threat to the motoring public and this enforcement action is one step to get them off our roads before they injure or kill those in their path.”

As well as removing impaired motorists from the roads, the checkpoints are aimed at increasing the public’s awareness to the problem, he added.

Drug recognition experts will be on hand during the checkpoints to assist with identifying those operating under the influence of drugs.

King  urged people who plan to drink to designate a sober driver before going out or to call for a ride.
According to the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, 44 people have been killed on Maine’s roadways so far this year – nine more than 2018 when 35 people had lost their life during the same period.

The enforcement action is funded by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety.