 |
OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE
| INCIDENT: | DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Results |
| DATE/TIME: | Saturday, December 17, 2016 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. |
| LOCATION: | City of Oxnard |
| PREPARED BY: | Jamie Brown, Senior Officer |
| CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO: |
Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org |
DETAILS:
DUI Checkpoint Nets five Arrests
The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted two DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints on December 17, 2016, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. The first checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Victoria Avenue south of Wooley Road and the second checkpoint was conducted in the northbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard north of Second Street. 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.
The checkpoint resulted in the following:
- 804 Vehicles Screened
- Five DUI-Alcohol suspects arrested
- Nine Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked
- 31 Citations issued
One of the five DUI arrests came after the driver sped through the checkpoint at a speed of more than 50 MPH. The vehicle was stopped a few blocks away and the driver was found to have a blood-alcohol level more than three times the legal limit.
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 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’.