DUI CHECKPOINT NETS THREE ARRESTS IN LONG BEACH
The Long Beach Police Department Traffic Section conducted a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on January 24, 2015, on northbound Cherry Avenue at 59th St., between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. 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/Drivers 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.
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. Ninety percent of California drivers approve of checkpoints.
During the eight-hour operation, which was aided by Long Beach Police Explorers and Long Beach Search and Rescue, 1,219 vehicles passed through the checkpoint with 319 drivers being screened for driving under the influence and the following results:
· Three (3) Standardized Field Sobriety Tests conducted
· Three (3) drivers arrested for DUI
· Seven (7) drivers cited for unlicensed driving
· One (1) driver cited for suspended license
· Six (6) drivers cited for traffic violations
· One (1) vehicle stored
The Long Beach Police Department will conduct a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Saturation Patrol on January 30, 2015 in our ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways. The checkpoint and saturation patrol are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1!