DUI Checkpoint
updated: Jan 17, 2013, 3:21 PM

Source: Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department

The Goleta Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint on Friday January 18th, 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 2011, nearly 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 of .08% or higher. In California, this deadly crime led to 774 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.

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office for police services.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 364631	2013-01-17 03:29 PM
They sure are doing these a LOT lately. Must have some serious extra money floating around. And really, how many drunk drivers have they actually snagged in these checkpoints? Not many.
COMMENT 364636	2013-01-17 03:41 PM
Pulling one drunk driver off the road is worth it if they don't kill someone.
COMMENT 364644	2013-01-17 03:57 PM
Why don't the bars not continue to serve people over the limit. Shouldn't they be responsible for driving these people home?
COMMENT 364645P	2013-01-17 04:07 PM
644 - The reason bars continue to serve people over the limit is because the limit is basically one, 12-ounce beer. Case in point: A few years ago, I was pulled over after drinking ONE pint (16 ounces) of Bud Light because of a taillight being out. They gave me the whole set of tests, field and breathalizer. I appeared "sober" to them but, nevertheless, I blew a .09. They let me go with a warning saying they could have given me a DUI but since I was so sober, they were letting me go. That means, if you go out to dinner and have ANYthing more than 1 can or bottle of beer or glass of wine, you can go to jail and end up paying over $10,000 in fines.
COMMENT 364646	2013-01-17 04:09 PM
Maybe you shouldn't be drinking and driving.
SACJON	2013-01-17 04:13 PM
646 - Driving drunk is one thing. Driving home after having a pint of beer is hardly "drunk driving." You are likely to be more "impaired" while driving if you are: - eating - changing the radio - talking to a passenger - thinking about your day at work The point is, you can't even go out to dinner and enjoy a glass of wine without the risk of imprisonment. I find that a bit extreme.
COMMENT 364659	2013-01-17 04:39 PM
Yes SACJON, that is so true. For this reason I refuse to go out for a drink anymore. When out of control cops like Kasi Beutel are willing to lie and manipulate evidence just so she can win some stupid award, I say forget it. The tourist industry in SB will suffer and more businesses will die. Oh well, less tax money for the goverment who allows this BS to happen.
COMMENT 364661	2013-01-17 04:48 PM
644: Because some people are smart enough to not drive home when drunk. Say you go out with friends & have a DD. Or you walked to the bar across the street. Or someone is picking you up at midnight. Or you plan to take a taxi home. Why should those people be limited on drinks? How many people go out & only have one drink at a bar?
COMMENT 364662	2013-01-17 04:50 PM
659 SACJON, because that happens so often here, right? Come on, there has to be some common sense. Beutel was a one-off situation and I would challenge you to name one person you know in town who has ever been pulled over and then charged with DUI under these fraudulent circumstances. Enjoy your life, go out, have a glass of wine with dinner. Don't freak out people, there's no point. A healthy adult with food in their stomach will not be in the range of a DUI with one drink. Two drinks are okay for most people over the course of an hour or two dinner. Not everyone is the same.
COMMENT 364664	2013-01-17 04:56 PM
661, those some people you are talking about do not exist. Sure they might bum a ride after but that's because they are already in trouble with the booze.
COMMENT 364666	2013-01-17 04:58 PM
$ grab. Nothing more to see here. Move along...
COMMENT 364671	2013-01-17 05:22 PM
645... there are so many holes to your story it's not even funny. 1) Police officers are trained from day 1 that they become liable for releasing someone who could be a hazard to self or others and then does harm self or others. Unlike bartender's liability the cops have the backing of deep pockets so they protect themselves against high $$ lawsuits more aggressively. 2) Driving with 0.09 BAC is a violation of the law... not discretionary anymore. They have to take you in. 3) It takes more than a single 16oz beer to raise your BAC to 0.09.... it's closer to 3 such beverages in a little more than 1 hour. Of course if you have liver damage that's a different story. Spreading lies is not funny. Raising urban myths anonymously is irresponsible and craven. Shame on you.
COMMENT 364677	2013-01-17 05:41 PM
662 - I doubt anyone is going to start posting the names of people they know who have been charged with DUI. Get real. Eating while drinking only prolongs the amount of time it takes for the alcohol in your system to dissipate, and will not reduce your level of intoxication. So they more you eat the longer you will be intoxicated. If one pint (16oz.) of beer is enough to cause a person to have a BAC of .09 (over the legal limit), then two drinks is more than enough to be arrested for DUI. For a person like me who would lose their job and any chance of a career in my field if convicted of DUI, I would say that there is a point to being concerned (or "freaked out" as you put it). Here is my challenge to you. Have a couple glasses of wine, then drive through a check point. Let us know how that works out for you.
COMMENT 364680	2013-01-17 05:54 PM
Well it is not for the "Drunks" that riff raff on State street that is for sure, they do not have cars.
COMMENT 364682	2013-01-17 06:09 PM
They should spread out and cover some ground and be ready for other calls.
COMMENT 364690P	2013-01-17 06:37 PM
Hey 671 - thats EXACTLY what happened. Shame on you for calling me a liar. This happened about 15 years ago so maybe the law was different. This was 100% true and I dare you to prove me wrong.
COMMENT 364706	2013-01-17 07:28 PM
@690 - You are right, 671 is not aware that the police can let individuals off with a warning even if their BAC is .08-.09. Usually they don't but if you display no signs of intoxication they might let you go. 672 is also wrong that a 16oz beer cannot raise your BAC to above the legal limit. Some beers have a higher alcohol content than wine so it depends on the type of beer and the persons size / body fat ratio. If 672 still thinks these are myths you should ask a law enforcement officer or maybe a DUI attorney. Isn't learning fun!
COMMENT 364707	2013-01-17 07:34 PM
The stats in the county do not lie - there has a been a significant increase in drunk drivers - all the numbers have gone up across all demographics. 2012 saw some of the worst accidents caused by drunk drivers - it was a banner year for that type of misery. It is very serious. They can have checkpoints every day as far as I'm concerned. BTW, I drive an ambulance for a living so I know what I'm talking about. And just in case anyone was wondering....the people who got hit by these idiots were often badly hurt...it is beyond disgusting.
COMMENT 364790	2013-01-18 08:39 AM
I challenge ANYONE to come up with ANY credible evidence to support the following propaganda: "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." Everyone (including NHTSA and the Police) knows "Roving Patrols" yield more arrests with less manpower.
COMMENT 364799	2013-01-18 09:00 AM
Alchohol ruins lives, period.
COMMENT 364980	2013-01-18 03:11 PM
As an experienced drunk driver I actually don't mind these checkpoints. People like me that can hold our alcohol pass through these checkpoints without a problem. Just remember to cover up your beer with a newspaper, and you're home free.
COMMENT 364997	2013-01-18 03:54 PM
799: alcohol doesn't ruin lives any more or less than refined sugar. Inanimate substances (including alcohol) are neither good, nor evil: pure cocaine in the hands of an eye surgeon is a good and useful tool (vasoconstrictor, local anesthetic with very short half life) in the hands of a partygoer, it is a hard drug that can easily cause addiction, and death. In fact Free Base cocaine in the hands of a person who suffers from rhumitoid arthritis is an experimental drug of great (but little kown) success with a trade name of Esteryne. You argue for a new prohibition If you want zero tolerance then write your representatives and tell them.
COMMENT 365110	2013-01-18 07:52 PM
659, I didn't literally mean to post names of arrested DUI friends on this site. Maybe you need to get real, sheesh. Your, uh, science is a bit off. Alcohol, particularly wine or beer is absolutely metabolized differently with food in the stomach (particularly fatty food, actually.) I'm not sure where you get this information, but your wrong. I'm all for knowing your limits. And I would never have more than two drinks and attempt to drive. I never have and I never will. That said, if you don't want to drink a single drink over the course of a two hour meal and drive, fair enough. You have your own reasons. But for the majority of people, they won't even reach close to the legal BAC for driving or even be impaired on one glass or one beer.
COMMENT 365131	2013-01-18 09:15 PM
Say goodbye to the Fourth Amendment. Say hello to overtime pay.
SPARKEY	2013-01-18 10:50 PM
South Bound Hollister at Glen Annie. I ran through it. They were quicker than I was expecting and courteous as usual. Good job SBSO!

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