ROCKLAND — The Knox County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting public safety checkpoints, or roadblocks, throughout the county this year, the department announced in a news release April 26.

“Checkpoints have several purposes; detecting impaired drivers, motor vehicle and conservation law compliance checks, criminal investigation information gathering, and high-risk incident isolation. At the end of the day, we conduct them to safeguard you and your families from risky drivers and incidents,” according to the news release.

The checkpoints will be conducted at varying times and locations throughout Knox County, often times with no notice other than this press release.

“Please double check that your vehicle is properly registered, inspected, and insured. Ensure that you and your passengers are properly secured. Please do not engage in texting messaging. Finally, watch your speed and pay attention to your surroundings. Many areas of the county are undergoing road construction and the speed limits have been changed. Many of these changes are enforceable regardless of whether workers are present or not,” the department said in the release.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com