DUI Checkpoint Announced In Rohnert Park

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A DUI/driver's license checkpoint will be held St. Patrick's Day weekend in Rohnert Park, the city's Department of Public Safety announced. The checkpoint will be held between 7 p.m. Friday, March 15 and 2 a.m. Saturday, March 16 at an undisclosed location in the city, according to a news release.

"DUI Checkpoints like this one are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests," said Rohnert Park DPS Deputy Chief Aaron Johnson. "Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment while also checking drivers for proper licensing."

The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety reminded drivers in the news release that "DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze." People who take prescription drugs, particularly those with impairment warnings on the label, may be too impaired to safely operate a vehicle.

"Even with a prescription, we still see drivers too impaired to be behind the wheel," Johnson said. "Marijuana also impairs drivers, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what drug or combination of drugs you have used, whether they are legal or not, if you drive impaired, plan for the consequence."

In 2017, 1,120 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads. In 2018 in Rohnert Park, public safety officials investigated 41 DUI collisions which claimed one life and resulted in major injuries.

Rohnert Park DPS offered the below reminders to ensure a fun night out doesn't involve a DUI:

• Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation.
• See someone who is clearly impaired ready to drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
• Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
• Hosting a party? Offer non-alcoholic drinks. Make it clear to party goers, "If you are drinking, you are not driving."

"Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500," Johnson said. "This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension, bail and other expenses not to mention the embarrassment."

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