In cooperation with the National Highway Safety Administration, Kentucky State Police and other local law enforcement entities in the county, a series of sobriety checkpoints will be conducted throughout Logan County during the period of June 26 through July 13.

Fatal injuries involved in auto crashes during the previous year, 2002, have increased at an alarming rate of 15 percent over the previous year.

Driving under the influence and excessive speed were the primary contributing factors influencing this dramatic statistic.

Seat belt surveys conducted throughout the county during the first five months of this calendar year indicate a 35 percent usage factor. This represents an alarming rate far below the national average of 63 percent.

A designated driver should be included in any plans for the holiday period where alcoholic beverages may be consumed. Vehicle operators should be reminded "If you drink-- if you drive-- you lose." DUI drivers will be transported directly to jail at any checkpoint.

Law enforcement officials will be checking especially for infant and children riding in a vehicle unrestrained. Kentucky has a secondary seat belt law that provides for violators being cited for using restraints or requiring passengers to be restrained if they are cited for any type of moving violation.

Sheriff Wallace Whittaker urges all Logan Countians to "buckle up" and require all passengers to do the same. Statistics indicate that statewide auto crashes involving fatalities only 63 percent were using seat belts or other type restraints.

Sobriety checkpoints will be conducted at some or all of these locations during this special holiday emphasis period.

Checkpoints in Logan County will be held at:

Intersection of 68-80 E. and KY 73;

U.S. 68 Fertilizer Stretch

U.S. 68 and Sportsman Club Road

U.S. 68 Logan and Todd County line

U.S. 431 and Epley Station

U.S. 43 and east limits of Lewisburg

U.S. 79 at railroad crossing

KY 73 at Simpson County line

KY 100 at Simpson County line

KY 103 at Logan and Simpson County line

KY 103 and new bypass U.S. 68

KY 178 and Sportsman Club Road

KY 1293 and KY 107

U.S. 431 and KY 106 west limits of Lewisburg

U.S. 68 Fairgrounds entrance

U.S. 431 and KY 591

KY 1040 Coopertown Road and U.S. 431

KY 178 and KY 1151

KY 79 to railroad to Homer Road

U.S. 431 at former Clinard's Trucking Company, approximately one mile north of Adairville.