Full Notification

PRESS  RELEASE
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                    
 
December 16, 2023
 
 
Petaluma Police Department DUI Checkpoint Nets 24 Arrests
 
Petaluma, CA – The Petaluma Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on December 15, 2023 on E Washington St between Parkland Way and Executive Drive between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. A secondary DUI/Drivers License checkpoint was conducted on Petaluma Blvd North near Oak Street between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers as well as the public.
 
 
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 drunk or drugged impaired, bringing about more awareness and encouraging everyone to use sober designated drivers. 
 
Most drivers screened during the checkpoint were cooperative and appreciative of Petaluma Police Department’s efforts in trying to deter drunk driving.
 
The Petaluma Police Department collaborated with the Sonoma County Probation Department as well as the California State Parks Rangers to conduct these checkpoints.  The following are statistics from the DUI/DL Checkpoint.
 
Location #1
317 Vehicles Screened
7 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked
 
Location #2
126 Vehicles Screened
7 DUI-Alcohol suspects arrested.
1 DUI-Drugs suspects arrested.
1 DUI warrant suspect arrested.
8 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked.
 
Additionally, Officers on routine patrol in Petaluma arrested an additional DUI driver outside of the DUI checkpoint.
 
The Petaluma Police Department encourages people who visit and enjoy Petaluma, to plan ahead and either designate a sober driver, use ride share or call a taxi to avoid drinking and driving.  Driving Under the Influence is 100% preventable. 
             
The Petaluma Police Department is committed to increasing overall traffic safety and reducing the number of alcohol-related collisions.  We will continue our efforts to locate and identify impaired drivers.  Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 to $20,000 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
 
The Petaluma Police Department would like to thank our law enforcement partners with the Sonoma County Probation Department as well as the California State Parks Rangers for their collaborative efforts during this checkpoint.  With their assistance, several drivers were kept from driving impaired or unlicensed.
 
Funding for the DUI Checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Issued By:
Sergeant Walt Spiller, Petaluma PD, 707-778-4596