UPDATED: DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint Planned this Weekend in Ventura

order arial, clinic sans-serif; color: #ff0000;”>The Ventura Police Department conducted a DUI checkpoint southbound Harbor Blvd. north of Spinnaker Dr. This checkpoint took place from approximately 9PM to 2AM.

As a result of this checkpoint, the following enforcement actions were taken:

1 motorist was arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) the driver provided a breath sample which resulted with a blood alcohol content of .12%. This motorist was cited and released for 23152(a) CVC, Driving Under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.

1 motorist was cited for 23224(a) CVC, Possession of an alcoholic beverage in a vehicle by a person under 21 years of age.

2 Motorist were cited for 14601.1(a) CVC, Driving on a suspended license.

6 Motorist were cited for 12500(a) CVC, Driving without a license.

2 Motorist were given DMV license re-exams for driving in possession of marijuana.

Ventura Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint this Friday, May 29, 2015 at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m to 3:00 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 have claimed 6 lives and resulted in 71 injury crashes harming 94 of our friends and neighbors,” said Sgt. Darrick Brunk.

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. 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.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.

DUI Checkpoints 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.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, 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 Ventura 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’.

Ventura Police Department

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