Full Notification

P R E S S  R E L E A S E

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                     August 21, 2016

Contact:  Sergeant Ron Klein, Petaluma Police Department, 707-778-4372, [email protected]

Petaluma Police Department DUI Checkpoint Nets 11 Arrests

Petaluma, CA – The Petaluma Police Department Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on August 20, 2016 at Petaluma Blvd. South between McNear Ave. and Crystal Ln. between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 1:45 a.m. 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.   

DUI/Drivers License checkpoints have been shown to lower DUI deaths and injuries.  A major component of these checkpoints are the deterrent effects it has on those who might drive drunk or drugged impaired, bringing about more awareness and encouraging everyone to use sober designated drivers. 

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.  Ninety Percent of California drivers approve of checkpoints.

Most drivers screened during the checkpoint were cooperative. One driver who could not immediately identify, Irish McBroom a 33 year old male was contacted after driving into the checkpoint. McBroom refused to provide officers with a driver’s license or identify himself as he is required to inside a lawfully operated DUI Driver’s License checkpoint. McBroom was asked several times to either give officers his driver’s license or pull into a secondary screening area so vehicles which were backing up due to his not cooperating could proceed through the checkpoint. McBroom refused to cooperate at all with officers. When officers attempted to get McBroom out of the vehicle he resisted and officers were forced to pull him out of the vehicle. McBroom continued to resist officers and he was assisted to the ground and ultimately placed in a maximum restraint device due fighting with officers. McBroom was eventually identified and he had a warrant for his arrest for driving on a suspended driver’s license. McBroom was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on charges of obstructing a peace officer, driving on a suspended driver’s license and the outstanding warrant. His bail was set at $27,500.  

The following are statistics from the DUI/DL Checkpoint.

537 Vehicles Screened

2 DUI-Alcohol suspects arrested

8 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked

2 Citations issued

Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role.  They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen. 

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

The checkpoint was funded 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’.

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