Full Notification

For Immediate Release May 22, 2013

Contact: Officer Margarita Walker, 619-585-5763, [email protected]

DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint Planned this Weekend

Chula Vista, CA – Chula Vista Police Department DUI Enforcement Team will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Saturday May 25th, in the City of Chula Vista between the hours of 6pm and 3am.

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, other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

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% or higher. In California, this deadly crime led to 791 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver. “In Chula Vista over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 8 lives and resulted in 84 injury crashes harming 262 of our friends and neighbors,” said Officer M. Walker. [In 2010 there were 48 arrests for DUI collisions causing injury; 71 people were injured and 4 people died from these collisions. In 2011 there were 54 arrests for DUI collisions causing injury; 82 people were injured and 2 people died in these collisions. In 2012 there were 72 arrests for DUI collisions causing injuries; 101 people were injured and 4 people died in these collisions.]

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. Based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

“DUI Checkpoints have been an essential part of the phenomenal reduction in DUI deaths that we witnessed since 2006 in California,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the Office of Traffic Safety. “But since the tragedy of DUI accounts for nearly one third of traffic fatalities, Chula Vista needs the high visibility enforcement and public awareness that checkpoints provide.”

"The safety of our community is paramount; educating the public and increasing awareness about the devastating consequences of driving while impaired is critical in our efforts to ensure that safety. We are grateful for the grant funding provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration," said Chula Vista Police Chief David Bejarano.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Chula Vista Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to continue to work together to bring an end to these tragedies. If you see a Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.

MEDIA NOTES: To schedule an interview regarding the Chula Vista Police Department’s Traffic Safety Operations please contact Sergeant Martin via email at [email protected]