DUI Checkpoint Slated for Jan. 19

Glendale Police Department Traffic Unit will conduct a DUI and driver's license checkpoint on Saturday, Jan. 19 at an undisclosed Glendale location, officials announced.

Police will check for drunk driving and licenses between the hours of 7:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 19, according to Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz. 

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, Lorenz said.

Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough, he said. 

Officers will look for signs of alcohol or drug impairment and will also check drivers for proper licensing. Drivers should be delayed only momentarily.

People caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that may exceed $10,000.

In 2010, over 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher. In California, this deadly crime led to 791 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver.

“DUI Checkpoints have been an essential part of the phenomenal reduction in DUI deaths that we witnessed since 2006 in California,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the Office of Traffic Safety, in a prepared statement.

“But since the tragedy of DUI accounts for nearly one third of traffic fatalities, Glendale needs the high visibility enforcement and public awareness that checkpoints provide,” Murphy said. 

A grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

If you see a Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1. 

Follow Montrose-La Crescenta Patch on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe to the newsletter.