MOUNT VERNON – The Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, in conjunction with the Mount Vernon Police Department, Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Department of Transportation, conducted an OVI checkpoint on Friday, Aug. 26. The location was on State Route 13/South Main Street from 8-9:45 p.m.

The OVI checkpoint funding came from federal grants to deter and intercept impaired drivers and raise public awareness of the continued problem of impaired driving on streets and highways. In addition, the local, county and state law enforcement agencies also deployed saturation patrols to combat alcohol and drug-related fatal and severe injury crashes in the surrounding areas.

Troopers, officers and deputies checked 406 vehicles during the checkpoint. No vehicles were diverted during the checkpoint.

“The accomplishments of the checkpoints are a direct reflection of the level of commitment and cooperation between our agencies to keep the roadways of Knox County safe,” said Lt. Coby Holloway, Mount Gilead Post Commander. “If you are going to drink, designate a driver or make other transportation arrangements to avoid a senseless tragedy. The life you save could be yours, or someone else’s loved one.”