Full Notification

Personnel from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Risk Management Bureau’s Traffic Services Detail, will be conducting a DUI/DL Checkpoint on Friday, July 29, 2011 from 6 PM until approximately 2 AM. The checkpoint will be conducted in the City of Palmdale.

Statewide, overall traffic deaths have declined 23 percent from 3,995 in 2007 to 3,081 in 2009 and total traffic fatalities are at their lowest level in six decades. DUI deaths have declined from 1,132 in 2007 to 950 in 2009, which is a decrease of over 16 percent. Not to mention the high cost of a first time DUI conviction which could cost someone anywhere between $6,000 to $10,000 when all the potential fines, fees, classes, lawyers, work days missed, and increased insurance for years to come have been factored in.

All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. Alcohol impaired deaths make up the largest number of vehicle fatalities, with 31 percent of all vehicle fatalities caused by a drunk driver. A DUI/DL checkpoint is an effective and proven method in lowering alcohol related traffic deaths. This DUI/DL checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well to insure that drivers possess a valid driver’s license.

A major component of these checkpoints is to increase awareness, as well as educate the public, on the dangers of impaired driving and to encourage sober designated drivers. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department believes motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving, which ultimately will save lives.

Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver.

Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety administration.