Yellowstone National Park to Conduct Safety and Sobriety Checkpoints

Date: September 28, 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 on the west side of the park, on September 28. 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.

     

-www.nps.gov/yell –