WEST HOLLYWOOD—The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Traffic Services Detail will be conducting a DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Saturday, December 19 at an undisclosed location within the City of West Hollywood, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
According to a press release from the LASD, DUI checkpoints have shown to be a deterrent effect in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research has shown that a crash involving an impaired driver can be reduced up to 20 percent when publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are done on a consistent basis.
Checkpoints are determined on statistics showcasing locations with a high-rate of collisions, which helps deflect drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Authorities select the location based on safety considerations for the public and officers.
“In California, this deadly crime led to 867 deaths and over 23,000 serious injuries in 2013 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Nationally, the latest data shows over 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver. Over the course of the past three years in the contract cities policed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, DUI collisions have claimed 33 lives and resulted in 898 injury crashes causing 1330 injuries,” states the press release.
Authorities will be looking for any signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and officers will check drivers for proper license, which will only halt other motorists temporarily. Other specialized officers will be able to detect drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs.
Current stats showcase that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their body. A study of active drivers showed more drivers tested positive for drugs that could impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Marijuana was the drug most prevalent at 7.4 percent, slightly above alcohol.
Authorities are asking that patrons designate a sober driver or call a cab. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices.
Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role. The app allows for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen.
Those caught driving impaired can face a DUI arrest which includes jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes and other expenses that can total over $10,000.
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. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.
Funding for these operations is provided to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety http://www.ots.ca.gov/ through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration http://www.nhtsa.gov/, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.
