Pomona, CA –The Pomona Police Department Traffic Unit made two significant arrests while conducting a DUI Saturation Patrol on New Year’s Eve, 12-31-18:
(1) Arrest for Grand Theft Auto; and
(1) Arrest for Driving Under the Influence, Grand Theft Auto, and Resisting Arrest.
The Saturation Patrol occurred city-wide between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., resulting in the following:
25 - Vehicle enforcement stops
1 - DUI-Alcohol suspects arrested
1 - Arrested on other Criminal Charges
2 - Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked
14 - Citations issued
High Visibility Enforcement efforts like this have a deterrent effect, lowering the incidents of impaired driving.
In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes. Pomona PD 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.
Drivers caught driving impaired and arrested for DUI can expect to pay approximately $13,500 in fines, fees, DUI classes and other expenses, not to mention possible jail time.
Pomona PD offers these reminders to ensure a fun night doesn’t get spoiled with a DUI:
- Decide before you go out whether you plan to drink or drive. You can’t do both.
- Planning to drink? Designate a sober driver before going out.
- Know how you will get home safely: Take a cab, ride-sharing service, or use public transportation. There is also a National Directory of Designated Driver Services (NDDDS) where you can search for DD services in your area.
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, call 911. Offer a description of the vehicle, location and direction of travel
- See your friend or other impaired patron trying to get behind the wheel? Take the keys away and help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.
Pomona PD will be conducting DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints and DUI saturation Patrols on January 11
th and 25
th in our ongoing commitment to public safety and removing drivers suspected of driving impaired off our roadways.
The DUI Saturation Patrol was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Prepared by: Traffic Services
Pomona Police Department
909-620-2081
