SACRAMENTO, Calif.(PSN) — A Sacramento Police Department DUI checkpoint Friday night resulted in two impaired-driving arrests and more than two dozen citations involving suspended or unlicensed drivers, according to updated information provided Saturday by department Public Information Officer Anthony Gamble.
Police screened 214 vehicles during the checkpoint, which was conducted from 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, through 1 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, within the city of Sacramento.
According to Gamble, officers reported the following results:
- 214 vehicles screened
- 26 suspended/unlicensed driver citations
- 1 DUI alcohol arrest
- 1 DUI marijuana arrest
The checkpoint had been announced by the department Thursday as part of an impaired-driving enforcement operation. Police did not publicly disclose its location in the original advisory.
Sacramento police said checkpoint locations are selected using data showing areas where impaired-driving-related crashes have occurred. The department described the primary purpose of DUI checkpoints as promoting public safety by removing suspected impaired drivers from the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sgt. Anna Mahoney said in the department’s original advisory. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
The department has also emphasized that impaired driving is not limited to alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can interfere with driving, and although medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal in California, driving while impaired by marijuana remains illegal.
Funding for the checkpoint was provided through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
PSN initially reported on the checkpoint when it was announced Thursday and again while the enforcement operation was underway Friday night.
This report was updated with checkpoint results provided to Public Safety News by Sacramento Police Department PIO Officer Anthony Gamble on Saturday, Aug. 29.
DUI Checkpoint Underway Friday Night In Sacramento
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Sacramento Police Department driving under the influence checkpoint is underway Friday night as officers conduct an impaired-driving enforcement operation within the city.
The checkpoint began at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, and is scheduled to continue until 1 a.m. Saturday, according to a Sacramento Police Department media advisory issued Thursday.
Police did not publicly disclose the checkpoint location in the advisory.
The department said DUI checkpoint locations are selected using data showing where impaired-driving-related crashes have occurred. The primary purpose of the operation is to promote public safety by identifying and removing suspected impaired drivers from the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sgt. Anna Mahoney said in the department’s release. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
Police also reminded motorists that impaired driving is not limited to alcohol. Certain prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can interfere with a person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. Although medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal in California, driving while impaired by marijuana remains illegal.
According to the department, drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, in addition to a suspended driver’s license.
Friday night’s checkpoint is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
This is a developing public safety operation. PSN will provide additional information if it becomes available.
ORIGINAL POST
Sacramento Police Department To Conduct DUI Checkpoint Friday Night
SACRAMENTO, Calif.(PSN) — The Sacramento Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence checkpoint Friday night at an undisclosed location within the city, according to a department news release issued Thursday.
The checkpoint is scheduled from 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, through 1 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29.
Police said checkpoint locations are selected using data identifying areas where impaired-driving crashes have occurred. The department said the primary purpose of the operation is to improve public safety by identifying and removing suspected impaired drivers from the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sgt. Anna Mahoney said in the release. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
Police reminded motorists that impairment can involve substances other than alcohol. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can interfere with a person’s ability to drive safely. Although medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal in California, driving while impaired by marijuana remains illegal.
According to the department, a driver charged with a first-time DUI faces an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, along with a suspended driver’s license.
The operation is funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Motorists planning to drink or use any substance that could impair their ability to drive should arrange for a sober driver, rideshare or other safe transportation before heading out. Passengers should also avoid getting into a vehicle with a driver they believe may be impaired.
