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Petaluma Police Department
Wednesday August 23rd, 2017 :: 02:40 p.m. PDT

Advisory

DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Planned this Saturday in Petaluma

Incident: DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Planned this Saturday in Petaluma

 
 
Petaluma, CA – The Petaluma Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Saturday August 26, 2017 at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 6:00pm and 2:30am.   
 
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. 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.
 
In California, this deadly crime led to 914 deaths in 2016 because someone failed to designate a sober driver.  Nationally, the data from 2015 and 2016 shows over 10,000 people were killed each year by an impaired driver. Over the course of the past three years, Petaluma Police Officers have investigated 457 DUI collisions which has claimed 1 life and resulted in another 193 injuries.
 
Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily.  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. 
 
Recent statistics reveal that more than 50 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.  For the first time, statistics show that drivers killed in crashes are more likely to be on drugs than drunk.  Forty-three  (43) percent of drivers tested in fatal crashes in 2015 had used a legal or illegal drug, eclipsing the 37 percent who tested above the legal limit for alcohol, Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects. 
 
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. The 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.
 
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Petaluma Police Department 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’. 

Issued By:
Corporal Paul Accornero, Petaluma PD, 707.778.4372 

 

Address/Location
Petaluma Police Department
969 Petaluma Blvd N
Petaluma, CA 94952

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-778-4372

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