9:00am | The Long Beach Police Department will be conducting a checkpoint to screen for impaired and unlicensed drivers tonight, from 6:00pm-2:00am on Saturday morning, in the area of the South Patrol Division.
Due to the increase of DUIs — of which 13 lives have been claimed in the past year alone within Long Beach — driving-under-the-influence (DUI) checkpoints are conducted to to reduce those tragedies and identify offenders, as well as to educate the public on the dangers of driving while impaired.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 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. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for deterring impaired driving and provide the greatest safety benefit for officers and the public.
Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, insurance increases, DUI classes, and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.
For more information, please contact Long Beach Police Department Traffic Section Sergeant Aaron Alu at (562) 570-5737.