DUI Checkpoint Uncovers More Than Drunk Drivers In North Bay

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — In four hours, police on a DUI stake-out arrested several drivers on suspicion of driving under the influence, cited more than two dozen motorists for license-related violations, and made several additional arrests.

Santa Rosa police arrested three drivers on suspicion of driving under the influence during a checkpoint on Stony Point Road that also uncovered license violations, probation-related offenses, and child safety seat violations, offering a snapshot of enforcement efforts aimed at reducing impaired driving on local roads.

The checkpoint operated from 8 p.m. to midnight June 19 at Stony Point Road and Stony Circle, where officers contacted 830 vehicles and evaluated 10 drivers for possible impairment. The three DUI arrests make less than one percent of the total evaluated.

Police also cited 24 drivers for operating vehicles without a valid license and cited four drivers for driving with suspended or revoked licenses.

Officers also arrested a driver for failing to install a court-ordered ignition interlock device, arrested another driver for operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol concentration above 0.01% while on DUI probation, and arrested one person for violating probation conditions. Officers additionally cited two drivers for child car seat violations.

Santa Rosa police said checkpoint locations are selected based on areas with histories of impaired-driving crashes. The department said the checkpoints are designed to improve public safety by removing suspected impaired drivers from the road.

Funding for the checkpoint came through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, provided via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.