The Escondido Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on June 9, 2018, at Centre City Parkway and Decatur. 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.
High Visibility Enforcements, which include DUI/Driver’s 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 alcohol or drug impaired, bringing about more awareness and encouraging everyone to use sober designated drivers.
Drivers whose only offense was being unlicensed to drive were given the opportunity to locate the registered owner of the vehicle to either take or assign possession of the vehicle to a licensed driver. 9 vehicles were released to the owner or a designated driver. During the checkpoint, 8 vehicles were impounded.
Following are additional results from this event:
1472 vehicles drove through the checkpoint.
854 vehicles were screened in primary.
53 vehicles were sent to secondary screening (drivers who could not produce a driver’s license or who were suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
33 total citations were issued during the checkpoint. (7 for suspended license, 18 for unlicensed driver, 9 for no insurance, 1 subject was cited for allowing an unlicensed person to drive).
1 Field sobriety test
DUI educational material was distributed during the checkpoint
Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more. The feature-packed app even has social media tie-ins and even a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.
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.
Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.
The Escondido Police Department will be conducting additional DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints on an ongoing basis. The department is committed to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways.
The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’.
