Yellowstone National Park to Conduct Safety and Sobriety Checkpoints

Date: August 31, 2006
Contact: Nash, [phone]
Contact: Vallie, [phone]

In accordance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association's "National Impaired Driving Enforcement Crackdown," Yellowstone National Park rangers and special agents will be conducting safety and sobriety checkpoints on roads inside the park during the Labor Day weekend and throughout the following week. Yellowstone law enforcement staff will be looking primarily for drivers who are impaired and for other traffic and safety violations.   

In 2005, Yellowstone law enforcement rangers investigated over 522 vehicle accidents, two of which resulted in fatalities; made over 65 arrests for driving under the influence; and filed 193 criminal cases for possession or sale of illegal drugs.  

Park staff members are very committed to safety and safe driving in the park.  With over 310 miles of paved roads, Yellowstone has some unique driving conditions.  Visitors are reminded that federal law requires the occupants of vehicles to wear seatbelts when driving on park roads.