MALIBU—Funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Malibu/Lost Hills Station conducted a vehicle checkpoint on February 12, along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.
In all, 1,420 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, which lasted between 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Among the drivers, one DUI suspect and 10 unlicensed drivers were arrested and sent to court.
Additionally, two vehicles were stored for one day, two other vehicles were impounded for 30 days, one motorist was arrested and booked for a misdemeanor arrest warrant, another driver was cited and released for a misdemeanor traffic warrant and one final motorist was arrested and booked for failing to comply with checkpoint procedure 2814.2(a) California Vehicle Code, which states that “A driver of a motor vehicle shall stop and submit to a sobriety checkpoint inspection conducted by a law enforcement agency when signs and displays are posted requiring that stop.”
A sheriff’s statement explains that “checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.”
“DUI/Driver’s License checkpoints have been shown to lower DUI deaths and injuries. A major component of these checkpoints are the deterrent effects it has on those who might drive drunk or drugged impaired, bringing about more awareness and encouraging everyone to use sober designated drivers,” the statement further explains.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that 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.
According to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department, 90 percent of California drivers approve of checkpoints.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is expected to be conducting additional DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols throughout the upcoming year to prevent deaths and injuries on the streets and highways.
