DUI Checkpoint Nets 2 Arrests
The Escondido Police Department Traffic Unit arrested two individuals for driving under the influence during the DUI checkpoint. One of those arrested was driving under the influence of marijuana. The checkpoint was in place at Second Avenue and Broadway, resulting in the following:
1 DUI – Alcohol suspect arrested
1 DUI – Marijuana drug impaired suspect arrest
41 vehicles were released to the owner or a designated driver
4 vehicles were impounded
1675 vehicles drove through the checkpoint
931 vehicles were screened in primary
45 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)
24 total citations were issued ◦1 suspended license
◦20 for unlicensed driver
◦2 no insurance
2 Field sobriety tests
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.
In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes. The Escondido Police Department supports the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that aims to educate all drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.
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.
Escondido PD offers these reminders to ensure a fun night doesn’t get spoiled with 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 way to get home safely by taking a cab, ride-share service like Uber or Lyft, or using public transportation. You can also look up designated driver services in your area using the National Directory of Designated Driver Services (NDDDS).
If you are DD, bars and restaurants statewide have created non-alcoholic specialty drinks (“DDrinks”) for sober drivers: http://bit.ly/OTSDDrinks
If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, call 911. Offer a description of the vehicle, location and direction of travel
See your friend or other patron impaired trying to get behind the wheel? Take the keys or help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.
Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be approximately $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.
Escondido PD will be conducting additional DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols on an ongoing basis. Escondido PD is committed to take suspected impaired drivers off our streets and highways, ultimately lowering the risk for deaths and injuries.
The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Whether by bike, car, motorcycle or walking, Escondido PD encourages everyone to be a part of the solution and ‘Go Safely California.’
