Extra patrols this holiday weekend
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Updated: 10:59 PM Jul 3, 2009
Extra patrols this holiday weekend
CARTER COUNTY -- With Fourth of July celebrations already underway, Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers are putting their patrols in high gear, to help ensure it's a safe holiday weekend.
Posted: 10:52 PM Jul 3, 2009
Reporter: Shelby Levins
Email Address: shelby.levins@kxii.com
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CARTER COUNTY -- With Fourth of July celebrations already underway, Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers are putting their patrols in high gear, to help ensure it's a safe holiday weekend.

First News got a front seat ride with OHP Trooper Jody Cornelison as he patrolled Interstate 35. On a normal day, Trooper Cornelison could be working the area alone, but as it’s the Fourth of July weekend Cornelison is one of five troopers covering Carter County.

"A lot of times we get people who aren't from this area and they see this as more of relaxation - leaving Dallas or Oklahoma City - and they think they're just going to let their hair down and cut lose this weekend. What we want them to know is when they travel down here, to these parts; they still have to be in check, like they would if they were in their home town, because this is somebody's home town,” Troop F Commander Captain Ronnie Hampton said.

Capt. Hampton had his troopers keep a close eye on I-35 all Friday afternoon, but he says on Saturday they’ll be focused on the destination areas like Lake Murray.

"Were going to be going to be utilizing driver license check points for the purposes of making sure everybody has a good driver's license, they're valid to drive and they're cars are in good working order, that way we don't have any cars out there that are unsafe and my cause a traffic crash,” Capt. Hampton explained.

While OHP says they're still deciding on specific locations for safety road blocks around areas like Lake Murray, troopers will also be on the look out for signs of drug and alcohol use.

"A couple of our troopers are equipped with what we call preliminary breath testing devices, so what that allows them to do is perform a field sobriety. It's not an evidentiary device like what you find at the jails to take a breathalizer test, but it allows them to take a sample of people’s breath,” Capt. Hampton said.

Capt. Hampton said there will be a zero tolerance for intoxicated drivers this weekend. And just because a driver blows below the legal limit of 0.08 BAC doesn't mean they'll be off the hook.

"People who are trying to judge how much they are drinking, they have to be aware, just a small about of alcohol - if it's enough to impair your system and get your breath alcohol concentration up to 0.06 it's going to cost you a trip to jail,” Capt. Hampton said.

The goal of this weekend, Capt. Hampton said, is not to write tickets, but to keep people safe. With increased patrols and increased media attention like this, he says he hopes it will be safe and fun holiday weekend.

Texas DPS also asking you to drive safely this July 4th Holiday weekend.

Starting Friday, through midnight on Sunday, Texas troopers will be out in force, looking for drunk drivers, speeders and people not wearing safety belts.

DPS also reminds you to take it slow, and pull over to make or take a cell phone call.

Troopers say Texas Interstates will be busy this weekend, and travelers should plan accordingly, and drive friendly.


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