ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell University Police will operate a sobriety checkpoint on campus this weekend after one of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) playoff hockey games.

Drivers can find out in advance where the checkpoint will be by going to the department's web site after noon Friday, March 8, and checking out the section called "Drink and drive. You lose."

The advance warning is an effort to draw public attention to the Cornell Police web site.

"We want to provide people with as much information as possible on safe driving habits," said Sgt. Charles Howard, coordinator of traffic enforcement activities. "Our web site contains information about New York state traffic laws, pointers on driver and passenger safety and special advisories."

He warns that people won't be able to avoid police enforcement by avoiding the checkpoint, since extra police patrols also will be out.

The weekend activity is part of Cornell Police's ongoing efforts to improve traffic safety on campus. Last year, the department received three grants totaling $15,525 to enhance its education and enforcement efforts. Two grants were awarded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, one for participation in the statewide "Buckle Up New York!" campaign to increase seat belt usage and another to support participation in the state's "Selective Traffic Enforcement" program. Cornell Police also received one of 10 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grants awarded to universities nationwide.

The efforts seem to be paying off, Howard said. There were 25 personal injury accident reports in 2001, compared with 32 in 2000.

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