LBPD to Conduct Driver Checkpoint

Drivers be forewarned, the Long Beach Police Department is cracking down.

From 6 p.m. Friday evening to 2 a.m. Saturday morning, the LBPD will conduct a DUI checkpoint to screen for impaired and unlicensed drivers in the area of the South Patrol Division, according to an LBPD press release issued Friday.

In order to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries caused by collisions resulting from alcohol consumption, DUI checkpoints are put in place to identify offenders, in addition to educating the public on the dangers of driving while impaired.

“Over the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 13 lives and resulted in 274 injury crashes in Long Beach, harming 388 of our friends and neighbors,” said Long Beach Police Sergeant Aaron Alu.

Checkpoints are not only put in place to reduce accidents and possible fatalities, but also to ensure drivers have a valid driver’s license, a method proven to be effective, according to Friday's press release.

Results show that accidents involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted on a regular basis. By publicizing checkpoint locations, the LBPD believes motorists shy away from driving under the influence.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, checkpoints are the most effective of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, as well as being cost-effective. 

“Deaths from drunk and drug-impaired driving are going down in California,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “But that still means that hundreds of our friends, family and co-workers are killed each year, along with tens of thousands who are seriously injured."

"We must all continue to work together to bring an end to these tragedies," Murphy added. "If you see a drunk driver – call 9-1-1.

All vehicles that pass through the checkpoint can be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested, according to the LBPD press release.

The press release also reads that "drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, insurance increases, DUI classes, and other expenses that can exceed $10,000."