Sobriety Checkpoint This Week in Howard County

The Howard County Police Department will conduct a sobriety checkpoint at an undisclosed location in the county this week, according to a statement released by the department on Monday.

Officers in both marked and unmarked vehicles will be checking for drunk drivers, as well as those violating seat belt and child safety seat laws.

According to the department, alcohol was a factor in six of 13 fatal collisions in 2010, and more than 1,600 people were arrested for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated.

The checkpoints are part of the Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign, funded with help from a grant by the Maryland Highway Safety Office.

Police are reminding citizens to call 911 if they see someone behind the wheel whom they believe is drunk or otherwise impaired.