Long Beach Police Department

The Long Beach Police Department Traffic Section conducted a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, April 23, 2016, on Atlantic Avenue at Artesia Boulevard, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence, and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.

DUI/Drivers License checkpoints have been shown to lower DUI deaths and injuries. A major component is the deterrent effect it has on those who might drive drunk or drugged impaired, bringing about more awareness, and encouraging everyone to use sober designated drivers. 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. Ninety percent of California drivers approve of checkpoints.

Saturday’s checkpoint yielded the following results:

• 444 vehicles screened
• Seven (7) field sobriety tests performed
• Three (3) DUI-Alcohol suspects arrested 
• Three (3) criminal arrests
• 10 drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked 
• Two (2) citations issued for unsafe driving

Law enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving, reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role. They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from one of several ride sharing services offered–all from one screen.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, and other expenses that can exceed $10,000, not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

The Long Beach Police Department will conduct another DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on May 21, 2016, in our ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways.

The checkpoint was funded 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’.