Full Notification

P R E S S  R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 27, 2017

Petaluma Police Department DUI Checkpoint Nets 11 Arrests

Petaluma, CA – The Petaluma Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on August 26, 2017 on Old Redwood Hwy between Redwood Way and N. McDowell Blvd. between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. A secondary DUI/Drivers License checkpoint was conducted on Petaluma Blvd N. between Kent St. and Oak St. between 11:30 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers as well as 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 and appreciative of Petaluma Police Department’s efforts in trying to deter drunk driving. However, Fernando Alcala, a 42 year old Sonoma Resident, tried to avoid the check point by making an illegal U-turn. Alcala was stopped a short distance away and was ultimately found to be operating his vehicle while intoxicated. Alcala also had his two teenage daughters in the vehicle. Alcala was later transported to the Sonoma County Jail and booked on DUI and Child Endangerment charges. The children were released at the scene to custody of their mother. 

The following are statistics from the DUI/DL Checkpoint:

Location #1-
533 Vehicles Screened
1 DUI-Alcohol suspects arrested
5 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked.

Location #2
157 Vehicles Screened
1 DUI-Alcohol suspect arrested
4 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked.

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'.