Community

The Berkeley Police Department Traffic Bureau will conduct a Driving Under the Influence (DUI)/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, August 19, 2016, on Cedar at San Pablo Avenue, in westbound traffic, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. This stop location was selected based on collision statistics and the frequency of DUI arrests made in the area. It was also selected with an eye towards the safety of the public and that of the officers involved.

While stopped at the checkpoint, officers will briefly contact motorists to look for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and check drivers for proper licensing. When possible, specially trained officers will evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving—drug-impaired driving now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.

DUI checkpoints are 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, drug and alcohol related crashes resulted in 867 deaths and over 23,000 serious injuries in 2013. Nationally, the latest data shows over 10,000 people were killed by impaired drivers. Since January 1, 2012, collisions where alcohol was a factor claimed four lives in the City of Berkeley. In 2014, nineteen people were injured in Berkeley in collisions where driving under the influence was a factor.

The Berkeley Police Department emphasizes the preventable nature of driving under the influence by reminding everyone that all it takes is a little prior planning. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. The California Office of Traffic Safety Designated Driver VIP (DDVIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find nearby DDVIP partnered establishments or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants statewide. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role. Also through the app is the ability to order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to Berkeley 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’.