A DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint will be held in Santa Monica this Friday night at an undisclosed location within the city limits.
The Santa Monica Police Department’s Traffic Unit will conduct the checkpoint between 7 pm and 3 am.
SMPD Sgt. Jay Moroso said the deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints was 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,” Moroso said.
Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, along with proper licensing credentials.
Moroso said this would only result in a momentary delay for motorists.
“When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving,” he said. “Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.”
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 the Santa Monica Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to call 9-1-1 to report drunk drivers.
