Results of last night's driver's license checkpoint

I spoke yesterday about the importance of getting unlicensed drivers off the road because of the dangers they present to other motorists. I also told you we would do another checkpoint yesterday. This one took place from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 57th and Prospect. A total of 709 cars were stopped, and the number of people arrested who had no license to drive was pretty staggering: 53. That's roughly one out of every 13 cars. Many of these illegal drivers had children in their cars. Here's how the arrests broke down:

• Driving while license is revoked or suspended: 25 (5 of which were persistent offenders)
• No driver's license: 28
• DUI: 2 (Both were persistent offenders)
• Drug arrests: 2
• Warrants: 34

In addition to the numerous dangers it presents to the public, driving on a revoked or suspended license is costly. In Jackson County, people arrested for this offense must post a $5,000 cash-only bond to get out of jail and could face prison time if convicted.

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