DUI Checkpoint Planned for Somewhere in Santa Monica Friday

From a Santa Monica Police Department press release:

The Santa Monica Police Department’s traffic unit will be conducting a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint on Friday at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.   

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.

In California, this deadly crime led to 802 deaths in 2012 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Nationally, the latest data shows nearly 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver. 

“Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions in Santa Monica have claimed one life and resulted in 67 injury crashes, harming 95 of our friends and neighbors,” said Sergeant Phillbo Rubish.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, along with proper licensing credentials. This will only result in a momentary delay for motorists.  

When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.  

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.  A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).  Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.