Full Notification

The Goleta Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Friday, August 8, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.  

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 routinely conducted.

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.

In 2011, 774 people were killed in California and nearly 10,000 people were killed nationwide due to an impaired driver. “Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed three lives and resulted in 30 injury crashes harming 38 of our friends and neighbors in the City of Goleta,” said Senior Deputy Jeff Farmer.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their system.  A study of active drivers indicated that more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).  Of the drugs, marijuana was the most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, which was slightly more than alcohol.

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 officers 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 which can exceed $10,000, not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Goleta Police 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’.

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for police services.