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  • Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies check vehicles at a checkpoint on Comanche Lake Road during the 2009 Labor Day holiday. File Photo

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September 3, 2010

Out in force

Sheriff wants residents to have fun during holiday, but stay safe, obey laws

The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Patrolling and keeping roads safe is a constant for the deputies at Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, but their vigilance is on high alert as they move into the Labor Day holiday weekend, which is one of the deadliest for motorists.

Sheriff Wayne McKinney said he will have additional officers working, along with reserve officers. They will work in cooperation with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, for the “Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest” program that began Aug. 20.

“It will run through midnight Monday,” McKinney said. “We’ll be doing the same thing, and we will be out in full force.”

McKinney said that the goal is for everyone to enjoy the holiday but also to remain safe.

“We want them to be enjoying themselves. It is the last holiday of the summer.”

There will be checkpoints, as McKinney noted, “driver’s license safety points” established at numerous locations throughout Stephens County. That is also in cooperation with Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

“We are taking a zero tolerance against driving impaired. Whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or prescribed drugs, it’s against the law to drive impaired. They will be arrested,” McKinney said.

We’re hoping that it will be a real quiet weekend, no major accidents or calls, keep our fingers crossed, we’ll be out there if people need us.

During the Labor Day holiday weekend in 2009, nine people were killed and another 301 were injured as a result of road accidents, according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol records released earlier this week.

The safety belt portion of the holiday weekend target is labeled Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). It starts at 6 p.m. today and ends at midnight Monday.

Stephens County residents need to dial 580-255-2112, or 911 in an emergency. To report an erratic driver or other emergency on a state road, drivers can also call *55 for Oklahoma Highway Patrol assistance. They should be prepared to give location, direction of travel and description of vehicle.



— Toni Hopper is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. She can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 132 or by e-mail at: toni.hopper@duncanbanner.com.

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