Athens-Clarke County Police are reporting the results of recent roadside checkpoints, conducted earlier this month in collaboration with police from Watkinsville and Winder and with the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office. Police say upwards of 700 vehicles were checked at checkpoints on Winterville and Newton Bridge roads in Athens.
Dozens of drivers were cited for various offenses, ranging from seat belt violations to driving without a license. A handful of drug possession arrests were made.
From the ACCPD…
On May 24, 2024, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department hosted the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) Piedmont Area Traffic Enforcement Network (PATEN) meeting. After the meeting, a multi-jurisdictional vehicle checkpoint was conducted within Athens-Clarke County to ensure safe driving. Multiple outside agencies, including Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office, Watkinsville Police Department, and Winder Police Department, assisted in the checkpoints. This checkpoint was advertised on social media.
The following locations and activities were conducted:
Winterville Rd @ Near 775 Winterville Rd: 1921 – 2122 (2 Hours) – 439 Vehicles Checked Citations: 3 – No Valid License Citation 1 – Windshield Violation 2 – Distracted Driving Violations 9 – Seatbelt Violations 8 – Child Restraint Violations 5 – Improper U-Turn Violations 2 – No Valid Insurance 2 – Window Tint Violations 5 – Registration Violations 1 – Failure to Maintain Lane Violation
Arrests: Warrant Service – Clarke County Warrant Warrant Service – Franklin County Warrant Habitual Violator Arrest Suspended License Arrest x2 (Driver and Passenger Switched Seats and Were Both Suspended) Suspended License Arrest Suspended License Arrest Possession of Schedule I Substance (Ecstasy), Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Firearm During Commission of Certain Crimes Arrest Open Container of Alcohol in Motor Vehicle, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (Firearm) Arrest DUI – Drugs Arrest DUI – Drugs Arrest DUI – Alcohol Arrest
Newton Bridge Rd. at Fritz Mar Ln – 2225 – 0000 (1.5 Hours) – 284 Vehicles Checked Citations: 9 – No Valid License Citations 1 – Seatbelt Violation 4 – Other License Violations 1 – Window Tint Violation 1 – Child Restraint Violation 1 – Distracted Driving Violation 2 – Registration Violations 1 – Failure to Maintain Lane Violation
Arrests: No Valid License Arrest Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle, Possession of Marijuana Less Than 1 Ounce Arrest Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Firearm During Commission of Certain Crimes, DUI – Drugs Arrest