The Folsom Police Department Traffic Unit has announced it will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, August 19th, 2016, at an undisclosed location within the city limits during evening hours.
There will also be a multi-agency DUI task force out on patrol Saturday evening, August 20.
Police cite the deterrent effect of announcing DUI checkpoints in the reduction of the number of people killed and injured in alcohol/drug related crashes.
Research shows a reduction of up to 20% of such crashes when well-publicized checkpoints and patrols are conducted routinely.
In other words, people don’t want to get busted, so they stay home or get a ride, thus making our streets safer.
In California, this deadly crime led to 802 deaths and nearly 24,000 serious injuries in 2012 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Nationally, the latest data shows nearly 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver. “Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed lives and resulted in injury crashes harming many of our friends and neighbors,” said Sgt. Morris
Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes. Drugs which may impair driving not only include illegal narcotics, but many prescription drugs, marijuana, and even some over-the-counter medications.
DUI 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.
Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to Folsom Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’.
For additional details, contact Sgt. Kirk Morris at 916-351-3353 or kmorris@folsom.ca.us
For further information, contact Sgt. Kirk Morris at 916-351-3353 or kmorris@folsom.ca.us