PRESS RELEASE

According to Cal Govt. Code Sect 6254(f)

San Jose Police Department

Media Relations Unit

201 W. Mission Street, San Jose, CA 95110

Ph (408) 277-5339 Fax (408) 286-0923

San Jose Police Department Targets Impaired Drivers

With Sobriety/Drivers License Checkpoint

San Jose, California

Thursday, July 20, 2017

9:00 PM to 3:00 AM





San Jose, CA – The San Jose Police Department Traffic Enforcement Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Thursday, July 20, 2017 , at an undisclosed location within the city limits, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

The deterrent effect of High Visibility Enforcement using both DUI checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols has proven to lower the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug impaired crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20% when well-publicized proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely.

DUI Checkpoints like this one are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

In California, alcohol involved collisions led to 1,155 deaths and nearly 24,000 serious injuries in 2014 because someone failed to designate a sober driver.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing, delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.

Studies of California drivers have shown that 30% 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%) than did for alcohol (7.3%). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4%, slightly more than alcohol. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects.

Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more. The feature-packed app even has social media tie-ins and even a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspensions and other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the San Jose Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to "Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1."

MEDIA NOTES: To schedule an interview regarding the San Jose Traffic Safety Operations, please contact Acting Lt. Steve Payne at (408) 277-4341 or via email 2805@sanjoseca.gov

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