Participating in the Washington County DUI Task Force patrols were officers from North and South Strabane townships, Midway, McDonald, the city of Washington, and Peters and Cecil townships. Also in the task force but not participating this past weekend are North Franklin, Smith and Mt. Pleasant townships, and Burgettstown.
Officers patrolled in their own municipalities, arresting the DUI drivers during 84 traffic stops between 10 p.m. Friday and 3 a.m. Saturday.
In addition to the DUI arrests, 52 warnings were issued for various traffic violations, 15 traffic citations were issued, and one charge of underage drinking and one charge of furnishing alcohol to minors were filed.
Money for the task force comes from the state and federal governments that is funneled through the state. Unlike stationary checkpoints, officers remain in their own communities to address erratic drivers, traffic violations and to increase awareness of driving while intoxicated.
In 2009, during four roving patrols, there have been 27 DUI arrests, two misdemeanor arrests, nine stop sign violations, six speeding citations, five for obedience to traffic devices, one unregistered vehicle, two for operating on a suspended license, eight traffic violations and 160 warnings. A total of 242 vehicles have been stopped.