Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s deputies are preparing for another DUI/Drivers License checkpoint this week at an undisclosed location in the city. Thursday between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m., officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. 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.

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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.

Impaired driving is serious and dangerous. During this past holiday weekend, California Highway Patrol observed a Maximum Enforcement Period and made 14 arrests locally.  

In 2010, 791 died in California DUI crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal limit. A high percentage of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes was individuals between 21 and 24 years old.

Over the past three years, local deputies have investigated 212 fatal and injury DUI collision; countywide 730 individuals have been killed in drunk-driving wrecks.

The objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs. If you drive buzzed, drunk, or impaired by drugs you will go to jail. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 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, lose their driver licenses, or be sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Their insurance rates go up. Other financial consequences include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work and the potential loss of job or job prospects.

The checkpoint is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Please help deputies catch drunk drivers every day of the week by calling 911.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

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Source: Santa Clarita News
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