LAPD Targets Impaired Drivers over Memorial Day Holiday NA13084bb

What:
Over the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, the LAPD will be conducting the following DUI checkpoints and DUI sobriety saturation details:

When:
DUI Checkpoints – (7:00 pm to 3:00 am)
Friday, May 24: Figueroa & 9th Street (Central Division)
Friday, May 24: Ventura & Columbus (Van Nuys Division)

Saturday, May 25: Sherman Way & Independence (Topanga Division)
Saturday, May 25: San Pedro Street & Main Street (Southeast Division)
Saturday, May 25: Highland & De Longpre (Hollywood Division)

DUI Saturation
Sunday, May 26: Foothill Area
Sunday, May 26: 77th Area

Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment.  Officers will also check drivers for proper licensing and will strive to delay motorists only momentarily.  When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.  Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

In 2011, nearly 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involve at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher.  In California, this deadly crime led to 774 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver.  “Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 38 lives and injured 3,014 of our friends and neighbors,” said Sergeant Karmody, Traffic Coordination Section.

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.  Based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence.  Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

“DUI Checkpoints have been an essential part of the phenomenal reduction in DUI deaths that we witnessed since 2006 in California,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the Office of Traffic Safety.  “But since the tragedy of DUI accounts for nearly one third of traffic fatalities, Los Angeles needs the high visibility enforcement and public awareness that checkpoints provide.”

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Los Angeles Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to continue to work together to bring an end to these tragedies.  If you see a Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.

MEDIA NOTES:
To schedule an interview regarding the Los Angeles Police Department traffic safety efforts, please contact Officer Don Inman, Traffic Coordination Section, at (213) 486-0690.