SANTA MONICA—In order to deter drunk or impaired driving, the Santa Monica Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on the evening of Saturday August 18, 2012 at an undisclosed location within the city limits.

“Over the past year, DUI drivers were involved in 12 collisions, which injured 19 people,” said Santa Monica Police Lieutenant Jay Trisler. "These senseless acts of irresponsibility and negligence that lead to injuries happen all too often within our community," the Santa Monica Police stated. Checkpoints are the most effective and efficient documented method of DUI enforcement according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to the NHTSA, DUI checkpoints yield a cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent.

This Saturday, at DUI checkpoints, officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Those drivers caught driving drunk or impaired will face the consequences of jail time, license suspension, insurance rate increases, fines, DUI classes, court probation and other expenses that can exceed $10,000 says the Santa Monica Police Department. 

The Santa Monica Police Department reminds drivers: if you plan on drinking, have a designated driver or call a taxi cab to take you safely home. For more information please contact Sergeant Phillbo Rubish at the Santa Monica Police Department Traffic Section at 310-458-8950, or the Public Information Officer, Sergeant Richard Lewis at 310-458-8462.

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