San Gabriel Police Department

Targets Impaired Drivers with Checkpoint

San Gabriel Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. 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.

Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint and looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment.  They will also be checking to ensure drivers are properly licensed. DUI Checkpoints along with regularly scheduled high visibility DUI enforcement serves as a proven deterrent with the goal of removing impaired drivers and heightened awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

In 2010, over 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 (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. In California, this deadly crime led to 791 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver. The age group with the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes was the 21-to-24 age group.

“Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed countless lives and resulted in injury crashes harming many of our friends and neighbors,” said Police Chief David A. Lawton.

The objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs: if you drive buzzed, drunk, or impaired by drugs you will go to jail.  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.

Those arrested for DUI will face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Their insurance rates go up. Other financial hits include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation.

The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Please help San Gabriel PD everyday of the week:  Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911!

AVOID DUI Task Force

Deploys Extra Patrols for Cinco de Mayo

Designate a Driver before your Celebrations begin!

The Avoid the 100 Los Angeles County DUI Task Force will be deploying DUI saturation patrols throughout the county for the Cinco De Mayo weekend starting at 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2012. Additionally, CHP will be deploying saturation patrols onto freeways and in unincorporated county jurisdictions to stop, test and arrest impaired drivers who fail to use a designated driver.

Cinco de Mayo is a special opportunity to gather with friends and co-workers for chips, salsa and Margaritas, celebrating California’s rich cultural diversity. It is also a night when dangerous and often deadly outcomes occur because another impaired driver hits the road drunk.

Local venues are planning special reduced rates for drinks creating the probability for even higher numbers of intoxicated drivers for a weekend night. DUI statistics indicate the greatest number of DUI deaths and injuries occur late Saturday night early Sunday morning, which is why law enforcement will be out in force as a deterrent. “There is no excuse for getting behind the wheel after drinking,” said San Gabriel Traffic Sergeant, Rene Hernandez. “Everyone, including hosts, local bars and restaurants, must be sure to promote designated sober drivers in advance, before the festivities begin.”

Plan ahead with these tips:

• Arrange a ride home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before the drinking begins.
• Identify and provide free non-alcoholic drinks or other promotional items to the Designated Driver.
• Party hosts and servers must limit drinks to your guests or patrons. Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours.
• Cut back on the amount of drinks you plan to bring to the party – and provide plenty of food.
• It you see dangerous driving, Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1!

“In this day and age, there is no excuse for driving drunk,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “Before heading out for the celebration, just take one minute to designate your sober driver.”

Avoid the 100 DUI Task Force funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.