DUI Checkpoint Planned in Lake Forest Tonight

From the Orange County Sheriff’s Department:

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department DUI Taskforce will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint tonight in the city of Lake Forest between the hours of 6 p.m. and 3 a.m.

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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 an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.

“In the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 21 lives and resulted in 497 injuries in areas patrolled by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department” said Deputy Shane Stewart of the department’s Traffic Bureau. In California, DUIs led to 802 deaths in 2012. Nationally, the latest data shows nearly 10,000 people were killed by an impaired driver.

Deputies will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment along with checking drivers for proper licensing. When possible, specially trained deputies will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Recent statistics reveal 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.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.

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 deputies and the public.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department 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’.

PHOTO Image via Shutterstock.