Photo: wklaw.com
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Services Detail conducted a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Friday, July 13 on the southbound side of Diamond Bar Boulevard at Highland Valley Road.

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Services Detail conducted a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Friday, July 13 on the southbound side of Diamond Bar Boulevard at Highland Valley Road. The Checkpoint was operational between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Checkpoint locations are well thought out and placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Making sure the location has the greatest safety possible for officers and the public is also a large part of the equation.

California has seen a disturbing increase in the number of drug-impaired driving accidents in recent years. The LASD supports the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that aims to educate all drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.”  Taking prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label may cause impairment enough to get a DUI.  Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

Studies of California drivers show that 30 percent of drivers in fatal accidents had one or more drugs in their system. 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, only slightly more than alcohol.

One driver wanted for an injury Hit and Run on Interstate 5 was detained at the Checkpoint. He was turned over to the California Highway Patrol and arrested for felony DUI and Hit and Run charges.

415 Vehicles Screened
1 DUI Alcohol impaired suspect arrested
1 DUI Drugs (Marijuana) impaired suspect arrested
4 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked

With all the technology today and the promotions for designated driver there isn’t any reason to be driving drunk. Before your next night out on the town check out the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” free mobile app for Android or iPhone.  The DDVIP app give information on nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver. Anything from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more are made available. Who doesn’t want free food and refreshments?  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 under the influence 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 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting other DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint and DUI Saturation Patrol in the future in our ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways.

AS A DRIVER TAKE SOME TIME TO PLAN AHEAD USING THESE TIPS:

Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before the drinking begins

Identify and provide free non-alcoholic drinks or other promotional items to the Designated Driver

Party hosts and servers must limit drinks to your guests or patrons. Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours.

Cut back on the amount of drinks you plan to bring to the party – and provide plenty of food.