LAPD Targets Impaired Drivers with DUI Checkpoint NA18242ti

What: Sobriety & Driver’s License Checkpoint

When: Friday, December 21, 2018 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Where: La Brea Avenue at Oakwood Avenue Los Angeles, California

Note: Location of the checkpoint is subject to change or cancelation.

The deterrent effect of High Visibility Enforcement using DUI checkpoints has proven to lower the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug impaired crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely.

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

In California, alcohol involved collisions led to 1,155 deaths and nearly 24,000 serious injuries in 2014 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Year to date, LAPD officers have investigated 1,818 DUI related collisions, which have resulted in 11 fatal and 55 serious injury collisions.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing, delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.

Studies of California drivers have shown that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects. The LAPD offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:

•Decide before you go out whether you plan to drink or drive. You can’t do both. •If you plan to drink, designate a sober driver before going out or map out another safe way to get home by taxi, ride-share or public transportation. You can also look up designated driver services in your area using the National Directory of Designated Driver Services (NDDDS). •See your friend or other patron impaired trying to get behind the wheel? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely. •Report drunk drivers – Call 911.

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not! Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.