DANVILLE, Va. – Don’t be surprised if you find yourself stopped at a sobriety checkpoint between now and New Year’s Day.

Kurt Erickson with Virginia’s Checkpoint Strikeforce says state and local police are increasing sobriety checkpoints this week and will have dozens of  checkpoint locations in Southside and Southwest Virginia.

And if you get caught, even a first offender faces up to a year in jail, fines of up to $2,500, and a 12-month license suspension. Virginia also requires those convicted of DUI install an in-car breathalyzer that prevents you from driving until you blow into a device and are certified sober.

This year, Virginia State Police have partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Virginia’s local police and sheriff’s offices in a national program called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” The program began Dec. 13 and ends Wednesday.