Full Notification

The Petaluma Police Department Traffic has been able to return one DUI Officer and add another DUI Officer due to Measure U Funding.   Due to staffing shortages in 2018, a DUI Officer position was eliminated, and the officer was reassigned to patrol services.  On January 9, 2022, one DUI Officer was assigned to each Patrol Platoon, therefore making 7 day a week coverage.  The officers will work from 4 PM until 3 AM.  While their primary focus will be DUI enforcement, the officers will also focus on traffic enforcement in high collision locations and investigate traffic collisions. 
 
Both officers will be trained specifically in DUI detection and apprehension techniques, narcotic detection, and traffic collision investigations.
 
The Department has been committed to increasing traffic safety and especially reducing the number of alcohol-related collisions.   Recently there has been an increase in alcohol-related incidents.   In January 2021 there were 5 DUI arrests and no DUI collisions.  In January 2022, there were 15 DUI arrests and 5 DUI collisions.  During the first six months of 2021, total DUI arrests were at 60.  During the second half of 2021, DUI arrests went up to 120.  Currently, DUI is the third highest cause of collisions in Petaluma.   Last year there was one fatal collision in Petaluma and the driver that caused the collision was arrested for DUI.  Historically, DUI arrests and collisions increase towards the summer months.
 
While and increase in enforcement will assist in reducing the number alcohol-related collisions.   This is just one part of the department’s overall strategy.  The Traffic Unit continues to perform public presentations, media releases and educational projects, like Every 15 Minutes to educate the public about the dangers of DUI and the alternatives, like ride sharing.   The Traffic Unit works with local community partners, such as MADD and the Sonoma County Department of Health to identify new prevention strategies to reduce DUI.  The Traffic Unit works with our Traffic Engineering Division to increase roadway safety based upon traffic collisions we investigate.  The Traffic Unit has currently been awarded a traffic safety grant that funds our DUI enforcement and prevention strategies.   We are also seeking funding from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to assist us with identifying problem alcohol establishments and making sure servers have proper training.   The Traffic Unit is going to start once again conducting DUI Checkpoints, which have proved to be a successful strategy to educate and prevent DUIs. 
The Petaluma Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.
If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home.
Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.