Police to set up DUI checkpoint in Morgan county on Friday

People traveling to IU this weekend for Homecoming festivities might have to deal with a little extra hold up on their trip.

From Friday evening to Saturday morning, Indiana State Police officers will look for drivers who seem intoxicated or impaired at a checkpoint in Morgan County, north of Bloomington.

The checkpoint’s location cannot be disclosed, said Indiana State Police Sgt. Richard Myers.

Officers at the checkpoint also will look for drivers who are under the influence of drugs, drivers without a valid license and underage drinkers, Myers said.

A sergeant or lieutenant of a certain district decides when and where to set up checkpoints like this.

Drivers in Morgan County are advised to have their driver’s license and registration ready for the checkpoint so that traffic does not become too backed up, according to an Indiana State Police press release.

Some of the officers working the checkpoint will be working overtime and will get paid by federal funds, while others will work during their normal shifts.

The checkpoints are conducted by the county once a month. However, during the holiday season, they have more than one checkpoint a month.

Drivers who are caught driving while under the influence can face a Class C Misdemeanor if the blood alcohol level is equal to or greater than .08 percent but less than .15 percent, according to the state of Indiana Web site.

If a driver’s alcohol level is greater than .15 percent, it becomes a Class A Misdemeanor. However, if a person is caught driving under the influence more than once, the crime becomes a felony. All penalties can lead to time in jail.