Oakland DUI, Driver’s License Checkpoint Scheduled This Week

OAKLAND, CA — Police will hold a DUI/driver's license checkpoint in Oakland this week and again on Dec. 31. The first of the two sobriety checkpoints is scheduled for Dec. 16 in an area that will give officers the best chance to deter drunk and drugged driving. Officers will also be using high visibility enforcement through saturation patrol throughout the month in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related collisions, deaths and injuries in the East Bay this holiday season.

“In California, alcohol-involved collisions led to 1,155 deaths and nearly 24,000 serious injuries in 2014 because someone failed to designate a sober driver,” police said in a statement. “Over the course of the past three years, Oakland police officers have investigated over 400 DUI collisions which have claimed 8 lives and resulted in another 174 injuries.”

Police say officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment.

Drivers are encouraged to designate a driver, use alternative methods of transportation to get home and download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” a free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reminds everyone to report suspected drunken driving by calling 911.

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

Photo via Shutterstock