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DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint
updated: Dec 12, 2012, 3:30 PM
Source: City of Goleta
The Goleta Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint on
Friday December 14th, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between
the hours of
7:00 pm and 3:00 am.
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 alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized
checkpoints are
conducted often enough.
Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint and looking
for signs of
alcohol and/or drug impairment. Officers will also check drivers for proper
licensing and
will strive to delay motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially
trained officers will
be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. People caught
driving
impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well
as fines, fees,
DUI classes and other expenses which can exceed $10,000.
In 2010, over 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic
crashes that
involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol
concentration (BAC)
of .08% or higher. In California, this deadly crime led to 791 deaths because
someone failed
to designate a sober driver. "Since 2011, DUI collisions have claimed 3 lives
and resulted in
48 crashes, injuring 27 of our friends and neighbors in Goleta," said Sgt. Kevin
Huddle of the
Goleta Traffic Unit.
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. Based on
collision
statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations
that have
the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence.
Locations are
chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.
"DUI Checkpoints have been an essential part of the phenomenal reduction in DUI
deaths
that we witnessed since 2006 in California," said Christopher J. Murphy,
Director of the
Office of Traffic Safety. "But since the tragedy of DUI accounts for nearly one
third of traffic
fatalities, Goleta needs the high visibility enforcement and public awareness
that checkpoints
provide."
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to Goleta Police by a grant from the
California Office
of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
reminding
everyone to continue to work together to bring an end to these tragedies. If you
see a Drunk
Driver - Call 9-1-1.
Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)
COMMENT 353559
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2012-12-13 08:04 AM |
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If they are so effective, let's just have them operating all the time at multiple shifting locations throughout the region. Like, enough of them so no one can drive anywhere without having to be stopped. That way we'd catch/deter all drunk drivers!
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COMMENT 353600P
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2012-12-13 09:38 AM |
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Are you joking or serious?
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