DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint Planned for January 31, 2020 20-008

San Francisco Police Department’s Traffic Company will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint this Friday, January 31, 2020, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 2:30 A.M.

The deterrent effect of sobriety checkpoints is a proven strategy in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized sobriety checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are routinely conducted. Nationally, the latest data shows nearly 10,000 people were killed by an impaired driver.

In 2017, 1,120 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads. Last year the SFPD investigated 212 DUI collisions and made a total of 339 DUI arrests.

Recent statistics reveal 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 for alcohol (7.3 percent). Marijuana was the most prevalent drug, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Officers participating in the checkpoint will delay motorists only momentarily. Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and ensuring that drivers are properly licensed. Specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.

The San Francisco Police Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

The SFPD offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:

• Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation – to get home.
• See someone who is clearly impaired try and drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
• Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
• Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not! Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension, and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the San Francisco Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Everyone is reminded to ‘Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1’.