The Valley Chronicle - DUI checkpoint results in San Jacintong

T■ Riverside County Sheriff’s Department he San Jacinto Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI/drivers license checkpoint Feb. 4 on Soboba Road from 1:30.–9:30 p.m. 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, according to police. In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes. The San Jacinto Police Department supports the new 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 warning against driving or operating machinery, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI, police say. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI, they say. Studies of California drivers have shown that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol. Following is a summary of the checkpoint results: 1114 vehicles screened 2 DUI-alcohol suspects arrested 19 drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked 1 driver arrested for an outstanding felony arrest warrant Drivers are encouraged to download the California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more. The feature-packed app even has social media tie-ins and a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses that can exceed $10,000, not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out. The San Jacinto Police Department will be conducting another DUI/drivers license checkpoint and DUI saturation patrols in the near future in what it says is its “ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways.” 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’.