SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department’s Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI-Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, February 19. The checkpoint will take place at an undisclosed location within the city limits and will occur between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.
According to a press release from the SMPD, the deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven factor in decreasing the number of people killed and injured in alcohol and/or drug related collisions. Research has indicated that accidents involving impaired drivers can be reduced by up to 20 percent when publicized enforcement checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.
Traffic Officers will be looking for objective signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and will validate that motorists are in possession of a valid driver’s license.
In 2013, nearly 867 people were killed and 23,000 were seriously injured from drunk driving in the state of California. Nationally, the latest data indicated that close to 10,076 people were killed by impaired drivers. Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal collisions had traces of one or more drugs in their systems. The study showed that more drivers tested positive for drug impairment (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have delivered the most effective, documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies. They also provide considerable cost savings of $6.00 for every $1.00 spent. Nearly 90 percent of California Drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Santa Monica Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which along with the Santa Monica Police Department would like to remind everyone to call 9-1-1 to report drunk drivers.
