The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department will conduct a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint in Vista, it was announced Wednesday.
The checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed location between 6:30 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. Saturday, May 7.
Officials said the checkpoint is in response to the community’s concern for the problems caused by people driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public, according to the department.
Officials said checkpoints are a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.
A recent study showed that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. The study also showed more drivers tested positive for drugs than alcohol, 14 percent. While alcohol was indicated in 7.3 percent. Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.
