Newport Beach Police to Hold DUI Checkpoint Tonight

The Newport Beach Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint tonight at an undisclosed location within the city 8:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.

The department is publicizing the checkpoint to deter drunk drivers from hitting the road.

In California, drunk driving led to 802 deaths in 2012 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Nationally, the latest data shows nearly 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver.

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“Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed three lives and resulted in 187 injury crashes harming 249 of our friends and neighbors,” said Sgt. Michael Schiavi.

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).

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 officers and the public.

• Submitted by the Newport Beach Police Department