DUI Checkpoint Planned Friday In Novato

NOVATO, CA – In an effort to curb drunk and drug-impaired driving around the city, the Novato Police Department will conduct a DUI and driver's license checkpoint Friday night.

The checkpoint will be held from 6 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location within city limits. The location will be chosen based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, Novato police Sgt. Nick Frey said.

"The deterrent effect of high visibility enforcement using both DUI checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols has proven to lower the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug impaired crashes," Frey said. "Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely."

During the Friday night checkpoint, officers will be on the lookout for drivers with signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, Frey said. Police will also check for valid licensing.

In California, alcohol-involved collisions led to 1,155 deaths and nearly 24,000 serious injuries in 2014, according to police. Studies of drivers in the Golden State have shown that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.

"Everyone should be mindful that if you're taking medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects," Frey said.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail time, license suspensions, towing fees and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes and other expenses that can cost upwards of $13,500, according to police.

The checkpoint is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch