Mission Viejo DUI Checkpoint Announced for Saturday, June 17

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department DUI Task force conduct a DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Friday, June 17, in the city of Mission Viejo between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m.

"The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes," Lt. Mark Stichter of the Orange County Sheriff's Department stated in recent release. "Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20-percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.

“Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 21 lives and resulted in 497 injuries” said Deputy Manuel Cruz of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Bureau. "Deputies will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment along with checking drivers for proper licensing."

When possible, specially trained deputies will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

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 did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

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.

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the deputies and the public.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to The Orange County Sheriff’s Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1’.

Nearly 90-percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints. Do you? Why or why not?