Gov. Timothy M. Kaine joined local and state law enforcement officials yesterday to kick off Checkpoint Strikeforce, an annual campaign to curb drunken driving on Virginia's roads.

In 2007, there were 378 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Virginia, amounting to roughly one-third of all traffic fatalities. There were also nearly 29,000 convictions in the state for driving under the influence.

As part of the Checkpoint Strikeforce program, law-enforcement agencies will run at least one sobriety checkpoint or saturation patrol each week in the Richmond region.

"If you choose to drink and drive, we will catch you no matter what roadway you take," said Col. Steven W. Flaherty, state police superintendent.

Kaine announced this year's initiative in Hanover County yesterday afternoon.

"They haven't gotten the message, so we've got to be louder about it," he said. "We're going to be extremely diligent in going after folks. We need to make this extremely painful in terms of the consequences for people when you drive drunk."

-- Jim Nolan