Full Notification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:         August 31^st, 2019

Contact:  Sgt. N. Frey, Novato Police Department

DUI Checkpoint Nets 3 Arrests

Novato, CA –  

On August 30^th, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and midnight., the Novato Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on westbound De Long Ave. & Redwood Blvd., in Novato, resulting in the following:

1681 Vehicles Screened

1 DUI-Alcohol suspects arrested 

0 DUI-Drug impaired suspects arrested 

1 Arrested on other Criminal Charges

18 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked 

22 Citations issued

Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.   

In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes.  The Novato Police Department supports the 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.

The Novato Police Department 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.
• If you plan to drink, designate a sober driver before going out, or map out another way to get home safely by taking a cab, ride-share service like Uber or Lyft, or using public transportation.  
• 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 patron impaired trying to get behind the wheel? Take the keys or help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be approximately $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.

The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Whether by bike, car, motorcycle or walking, The Novato Police Department encourages everyone to be a part of the solution and ‘Go Safely California.’