Full Notification

Morgan Hill, CA – In conjunction with Avoid the 13, the Morgan Hill Police Department conducted a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Friday, December 20, at an undisclosed location within the city limits. DUI checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public. MHPD officers contacted approximately 460 drivers passing through the checkpoint. Officers were looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and they also checked to ensure drivers are properly licensed. MHPD made 1 DUI arrest, 1 drug possession arrest and 2 subjects were cited for being unlicensed. DUI Checkpoints along with regularly scheduled high visibility DUI saturation patrols serve as a proven deterrent with the goal of removing impaired drivers from public roadways. During the three week Avoid the 13 DUI campaign, MHPD officers proactively made 29 DUI arrests and 2 DUI warrant arrests.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show in 2012, 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 Californian, this deadly crime led to 802 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.

Those arrested for DUI will face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Their insurance rates will drastically increase and other financial hits include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of employment. When family, friends and co-workers learn of their arrest, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation.

The checkpoint and saturation patrols were funded by an Avoid the 13 grant from the Californian Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Please help Morgan Hill PD everyday of the week: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911!

Report Drunk Drivers. Call 911!