The Milpitas Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit conducted a DUI/Driver License checkpoint on December 16, at South Main Street, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 3:30 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.
In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes. The Milpitas Police Department supports the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that aims to educate all drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.
Studies of California drivers have shown that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.
During the checkpoint, a black 2014 Jeep Compass SUV came through the screening lane, and the driver was not able to present a driver license. As officers investigated further, they determined the SUV had been reported as stolen to the Sacramento Police Department on November 6, and they arrested the driver, a 41-year-old man from Sacramento, for automobile theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, providing false identification information, and driving with a suspended license. The passenger, a 44-year-old woman from San Jose, was cited and released for a bench warrant from the San Jose Police Department. In addition to the two (2) arrests from the stolen SUV, the checkpoint also resulted in:
682 vehicles screened
1 DUI (alcohol) suspect arrested
1 DUI (drug-impaired) suspect arrested
15 drivers cited for operating a vehicle while unlicensed or while suspended/revoked
2 citations for other traffic violations
Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more. The feature-packed app even has social media tie-ins and even a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.
Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.
The Milpitas Police Department will be conducting DUI Saturation Patrols through New Year’s Day in our ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways.
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.’
Press Release By: Sergeant Sean Heneghan
Date/Time: December 19, 2017, 9:00 a.m.
