DUI Checkpoint Planned Friday In San Rafael

SAN RAFAEL, CA – In an effort to curb drunk and drugged driving around the city, the San Rafael Police Department is conducting a DUI and driver's license checkpoint Friday.

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, San Rafael police Sgt. Raul Aguilar 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," Aguilar 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, Aguilar said. Officers will also check for valid licensing.

Officials reminded drivers that "DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze," a slogan that stems from the California Office of Traffic Safety's campaign aimed at the rise in people driving while high on drugs.

In fact, studies of California drivers have shown that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems, according to police.

"If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI," Aguilar said. "Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI."

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspensions, fines, fees, DUI classes and other expenses that can exceed $10,000, according to police.

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

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone