State police at the Lehighton and Bethlehem barracks announced DUI checkpoints will be held on area roads over the Independence Day holiday weekend.

Police said the checkpoints are designed to deter drivers who are drinking, using drugs or abusing prescription medications from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and placing themselves and others at risk.

The holiday weekend initiatives will run from 12:01 a.m. Thursday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Troopers from the Lehighton barracks will be conducting the enforcement program on roads in Carbon and Monroe counties.

State police at the Bethlehem barracks said troopers will be conducting PADEEP (Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving and Enforcement Education Program), STEADD (Selective Traffic Enforcement Against Drunk Drivers) and DRE (Grus Recognition Expert) programs. focusing on apprehending motorists who are driving under the influence.

The three programs were also conducted in 2024, during which time the following results were recorded:

• Crash data: crashes, 57; persons injured, 12; alcohol-related crash, 1.

• Enforcement data: DUI arrests, 34; speeding citations, 166; child passenger seat citations, 11; seat belt citations, 21; occupant protection warnings (adults and children) 31; other traffic citations, 1,096; and self-initiated criminal arrests, 27.