Full Notification

WALNUT CREEK POLICE DEPARTMENT
Safety ~ Service ~ Honor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2016

Contact: Lieutenant Sean Conley or Sergeant Joe Donleavy, Walnut Creek Police Department
(925) 943-5800

DUI Checkpoint Nets 1 Arrest

Walnut Creek, CA –Walnut Creek Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on December 16, 2016 on Lawrence Way between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.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.

High Visibility Enforcements, which include DUI/Drivers License checkpoints, have been shown to lower DUI deaths and injuries. A major component of these checkpoints are the deterrent effects it has on those who might drive alcohol or drug impaired, bringing about more awareness and encouraging everyone to use sober designated drivers.

[799] Vehicles Screened
[1] DUI-Alcohol suspects arrested
[0] DUI-Drug impaired suspects arrested
[0] Suspects arrested for illegal drugs (possession/transportation/sales)
[0] Arrested on other Criminal Charges
[5] Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked
[5] Citations issued

Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” 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 even a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.

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.

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.

Walnut Creek PD will be conducting DUI saturation Patrols in our ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways on a date to be announced early 2017.

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’.

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