Atascadero DUI checkpoint planned for April 24
DUI/driver’s license checkpoint planned this weekend at undisclosed location
Atascadero Police Department’s Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on April 24, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 6 p.m. to 1:30 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, according to the police department. In California, this deadly crime led to 802 deaths and nearly 24,000 serious injuries in 2012. Nationally, the latest data shows nearly 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver, the police department said.
“Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed one life and resulted in 20 injury crashes harming 32 of our friends and neighbors,” said Sergeant Davis.
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, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes. Drugs which may impair driving not only include illegal narcotics, but many prescription drugs, marijuana, and even some over-the-counter medications.
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. The police department stated that 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.
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Atascadero Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
