Petaluma Police Announce Checkpoint

PETALUMA, CA – The Petaluma Police Department announced this week that it will be conducting a DUI/driver's license checkpoint Saturday at an undisclosed location within the city limits. During the checkpoint, which will take place between 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 and 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, traffic officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and checking drivers for proper licensing.

"When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes," Petaluma police Cpl. Paul Accornero stated in a news release announcing the checkpoint.

Recent statistics reveal that more than 50 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems, according to the news release. For the first time, statistics show that drivers killed in crashes are more likely to be on drugs than drunk.

"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," Accornero said.

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, according to the news release. Over the course of the past three years, Petaluma police have investigated 457 DUI collisions, one resulting in a death and 193 in injuries, the corporal said.

Funding for the checkpoint is provided to the Petaluma Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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