DUI Checkpoint in Long Beach is Planned Tonight

The Long Beach Police Department will be sending drivers through a DUI checkpoint in Long Beach Saturday night through early Sunday to reduce drunk driving deaths, it was announced.

Here is the police news release:

The Long Beach Police Department's Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Saturday, May 11, 2013 between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. in the Department’s North Division area.

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough.

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, and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

In 2011, nearly 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved 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.