Full Notification

The 4^th of July holiday is a time to enjoy fireworks and show country pride but is also traditionally one of the more dangerous times on the road.
 
To keep families safe this Independence Day, Berkeley Police Department will have increased enforcement focused on impaired driving during the 4^th of July holiday into the weekend.
 
On July 6^th, 2019 from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., Berkeley Police Department will be holding a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint at Cedar St and San Pablo Ave in Berkeley.
 
According to preliminary data from the California Highway Patrol, seven people were killed and 73 injured in alcohol-related crashes statewide on Fourth of July last year. Every deadly crash involved a driver who had been drinking.
 
“Drinking and driving is a bad combination,” Berkeley Police Department Traffic Bureau Commander Lieutenant Files said. “The consequences are abundantly clear, yet people still make the poor decision to drive after drinking. Please be smart and make this 4^th of July holiday a fun and memorable one.”
 
If you are headed to 4^th of July parties, designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening. If you are hosting a party, offer nonalcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor who is drinking. See people leaving who have been drinking? Check how they are getting home. Offer to let them stay the night if a sober driver is not available to take them home.
 
“Driving with just a buzz doesn’t cut it,” Lieutenant Files said. “With the rise in ride-share options, there really is no excuse for driving impaired.”
 
The average cost of a DUI arrest is approximately $13,500, accounting for vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes and other penalties. Berkeley Police Department also reminds residents that prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana can all be impairing and land you a DUI, especially in combination with alcohol and/or other drugs.
 
Funding for DUI enforcement was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.