BY K.P. SANDER

Eastvale – It seems like every time information is published about an impending Sobriety Checkpoint, or the results of one, citizens on Facebook and other social media sites post rants implying everything from a violation of civil or constitutional rights, to just a way for the city to make money. But what about another perspective?

DUI Checkpoints, or roadblocks, involve law enforcement officials stopping every vehicle, or every random vehicle, on a public roadway and investigating the possibility that a driver may be too impaired to drive. They can occur at random, on research obtained by law enforcement, or even be set near exit points of public events to prevent large numbers of drunk drivers from being released into traffic simultaneously.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that in 2012, just in California, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes; that’s one every 51 minutes. Further, 28 percent of all traffic deaths were alcohol related, not to mention the estimated $37 billion that these accidents cost every year. Those are some statistics the public should surely like to see reduced; significantly.

According to California Watch, DUI Checkpoints have saved countless lives on the nation’s roadways and have brought thousands of drunken drivers to justice. And by inspecting driver’s licenses, police catch motorists driving unlawfully, typically without insurance, and temporarily remove them from the road.

As far as ranting about legalities, California Vehicle Code 2814.2VC authorizes these inspections. DUI Checkpoints have also been held valid under both the United States and California constitutions. The California Supreme Court states that DUI Checkpoints are administrative inspections (akin to airport screenings) and as such they are an exception to the 4^th Amendment rule that an officer must have probable cause to initiate a California DUI investigation.

In a recent interview with Captain Jason Horton from the Eastvale Police Department, he said, “I’d like to make one thing perfectly clear. We do not hold checkpoints for any financial gain. First of all, we are a public agency bound by the laws of the State of California and funded by the office of Transportation Safety, and we are not allowed to ‘make money’. But more importantly, these checkpoints are for education and notification that we have a zero tolerance for driving under the influence. We use real statistics to show that there is a need for these checkpoints in our city. Our goals are to reduce collisions and injuries and remove impaired drivers from the road. We have made arrests, but I think everyone can agree that we do not want these people on our Eastvale streets.”

The latest DUI Checkpoint conducted by the Eastvale Police Department occurred on July 25 near Schleisman and Archibald between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. The operation examined 1,005 vehicles, and resulted in one DUI arrest, five sobriety field tests, three citations for unlicensed drivers, one citation for a suspended license, 13 citations for various vehicle and/or penal code violations, and one towed vehicle. So what if that checkpoint netted ONLY one DUI arrest. What if that driver had killed someone? What if that someone was in your family?

The nearby Chino Police Department successfully conducted a DUI Checkpoint on July 19 that resulted in the arrest of four subjects that were driving under the influence, as well as another for drug related charges. What if those five drivers were heading for Eastvale?

According to Horton, checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving deterrence, and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public. Locations are based upon research and statistics; the byproduct is education and awareness.

So, when you read social media comments about these checkpoints invading one’s privacy, or that the police are just trying to generate revenue for the city through citations, remember that the bottom line is that these checkpoints have been shown to lower DUI-related deaths and injuries. NHTSA says that checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies. According to the Eastvale Police Department, a major component of these checkpoints is the deterrent effects they have on those who might drive drunk or drug impaired. The knowledge of a checkpoint in the area of “celebration” encourages the use of designated drivers, less drinking, and more planning. That can only be a good thing. As they say, “Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest.” It’s the law.

The next time you see a DUI Checkpoint in place, don’t panic or become agitated. Officers are courteous, efficient and professional, and they are just trying to keep you safe. What have you got to hide?

Horton says that officers at checkpoints rarely issue citations unless the situation warrants it. If a citation or enforcement ticket is written, a portion of the money collected goes to the state for court fees, and a portion comes back to the city. But they are not out there to increase revenue, by any means.

And yes, there is definitely a profit for the City. The proceeds derived from removing impaired drivers from the road, even if the net revenue was just one individual – and what if that individual was one that might have run a red light you were crossing against – is worth more than any citation could ever yield. A new perspective to consider.