DUI Checkpoint Announced For Watsonville

WATSONVILLE, CA — Police officials are planning a DUI/driver's license checkpoint in Watsonville this weekend. Officers with the Watsonville Police Department will be looking for alcohol and/or drug impairment and proper licensing when contacting drivers. The operation is scheduled for Saturday evening and the location of the checkpoint has not been released.

Police officials say the checkpoint is an effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related collisions, deaths and injuries in Santa Cruz County, and will only delay drivers momentarily. Police warn that impaired driving includes prescription drugs and marijuana.

Police said they warn drivers ahead of time because the warning serves as a deterrent.

“Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by 20% when well-publicized proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely,” police said via social media.

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.

The enforcement efforts are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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