Update: What drivers should expect at police checkpoints on Horry County roads

Editor’s note: this article was updated with additional information about what the checkpoints entail. (Updated 4:56 p.m. Nov. 12, 2025)

Drivers on Horry County roads may face additional scrutiny this month, as the Horry County Police Department is conducting safety checkpoints throughout November.

At the safety checkpoints, police will stop each vehicle and drivers should expect an interaction with an officer, according to Horry County spokesperson Thomas Bell.

The checkpoints are intended to ensure drivers have proper documentation, including their license and proof of insurance, and deter unsafe driving, like speeding and driving under the influence, said Bell.

“At the end of the day, we want everyone to be able to get to and from their points safely and efficiently and within the confines of the law,” Bell said.

The dates, times and locations of the checkpoints haven’t been set.

“They’re not so planned out where we can say, ‘We’re doing it on this date and this location,’” said Bell. “It can occur at any time of the day, at any location, as deemed fit by those traffic units, depending on if they’re feeling a need to have an increased presence in an area.”

In addition to the checkpoints, drivers will see increased law enforcement presence on roads in the area heading into the holiday season.

“There’s always kind of an enhanced focus on cracking down on DUIs, just because we know, during the holidays people are out celebrating, they might have a little too much, and they might make a poor decision,” Bell said.

Violation consequences are up to the discretion of the officer involved. While some officers may issue arrests, citations or warnings for more serious violations, Bell said other situations may simply result in a conversation.

“It’s all in the name of safety,” said Bell. “It’s not looking to get folks in trouble. It is literally just to make sure that we have safe drivers and vehicles on the roads here in Horry County.”

This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM.