Full Notification

The Goleta Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on June 19^th, at an undisclosed location within the Goleta city limits between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 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 conducted routinely.

In California, DUI related crashes led to 802 deaths and nearly 24,000 serious injuries in 2012 because someone failed to designate a sober driver.  Nationally, the latest data shows in 2012 nearly 10,000 people were killed by an impaired driver. “Over the course of the past three years, there have been no fatalities from DUI collisions in Goleta, but there have been 26 injury crashes harming 37 of our friends and neighbors,” said Senior Deputy Jeff Farmer.

Motorists will be delayed only momentarily while officers look for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and proper licensing.  When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.  Drugs which may impair driving not only include illegal narcotics, but many prescription drugs, marijuana, and even some over-the-counter medications.

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

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1’.

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