OVI Checkpoint Underway

The OVI checkpoint set up in South Zanesville, Saturday, isn’t to see how many arrests can be made, but instead to alert residents of Muskingum County about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Twenty State Highway Patrol and Muskingum County Sheriff’s Officers are set up in the area of Wal-Mart. Each driver is asked to produce their driver’s license and if their is signs of drinking, they’re diverted to a holding area.

“It’s more for public awareness,” said Lt. Chad Neal from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “It’s more of a deterrent than anything, the goal is not to arrest but manly for public awareness.”

Drivers will also be detained if there are any signs of drugs, guns or illegal items in the vehicle.

“Every vehicle that comes through the checkpoint will be stopped and the driver will be contacted they will be brought to the diversionary if there are other criminal indicators afoot,” said Neal.

The checkpoint runs until 2am Sunday.