Task Force Administrator Explains ‘Who Pays and Why’
The Clark County OVI Task Force conducted a rolling OVI checkpoint in Clark County last Friday night, June 12. A rolling checkpoint means that multiple locations will be set up in Clark County in one evening. The first checkpoint was at 7:00 pm at Troy Rd and Bechtle Ave., then moved to 148 W. North St in Springfield.
“There’s a lot of misinformation regarding DUI checkpoints” said Anita Biles, Clark County OVI Task Force Administrator. “You don’t HAVE to go through them” Biles stated as she pointed to two side streets, adding “you have two opportunities to go around this particular checkpoint.”
According to Biles, if you do enter the checkpoint, you will be greeted by a law enforcement officer. The officer will tell you that they are conducting an OVI checkpoint and then ask you if you’ve had anything to drink. “The officer is looking for signs of intoxication” said Biles, “if you’re good, you are passed through.” The entire process takes about 15 seconds. “If the officer suspects that you’ve been drinking, you will be pulled over and given a standard field sobriety test.”
When asked about the cost for such an elaborate operation, Biles explained that zero local dollars paid for the checkpoints. The OVI Task Force applied for a grant from the Federal Government. Once approved, that money goes to the Ohio Department of Public safety, where it is divided amongst the 11 DUI Task Forces in the state of Ohio. Clark County is home to an OVI Task Force as it is “one of the top 11 counties in the state for OVI fatalities” said Biles. “What’s never mentioned is the amount of money that an OVI fatality can cost our community” adding that costs for an uninsured OVI homicide can reach “up to a million dollars”. “If crashes are up, then the amount you pay in car insurance goes up.”
Not one person was cited for OVI on Friday night at either checkpoint. In fact, not one person was pulled aside for testing. “We have a target goal of zero citations” said Biles. “The night starts out strong and then you’ll see it turn into a ghost town.” Biles explains that this is due to people informing others of the checkpoints, and this “word of mouth” is the underlying effect of checkpoints. “We want people to think about (drinking and driving) and make another choice.”
