PALMDALE –The Palmdale Sheriff’s Station will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, April 25, at an undisclosed location within the city limits, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Deputies will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Deputies will also check drivers for proper licensing and will strive to delay motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.
In 2011, nearly 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher. In California, this crime led to 774 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver.
“Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 49 lives and resulted in 893 injury crashes harming 1,113 of our friends and neighbors,” said Sgt. Joseph Jakl of the Risk Management Bureau.
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.
Funding for the operation is provided to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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Db says
Here’s a suggestion for any future “DUI checkpoints”…How about on all the streets near and around every local liquor store and bar?…How about in the late evening hours in the parking lots of major grocery stores…where I have witnessed the passing of alcohol purchases from those over 21 to minors waiting in their cars…Stop the rhetoric about DUIs and prove that you are tough on violators…you can arrest them, but obviously as recent stories have been told they just get put back out onto the streets by our Judicial System which is 100% broken!
Joe says
Interesting that the Location is “Undisclosed”, from what I read, Is this wrong???
Guidelines issued by the NHTSA also instruct police departments to publicize checkpoints aggressively.
Williams said that in cases regarding the constitutionality of DUI checkpoints, courts hold that announcing them ahead of time helps police satisfy constitutionality requirements.
“If they didn’t announce it they would definitely be in trouble and they wouldn’t be able to use any of the results,” Williams said.
Vance said that despite the requirements to announce the checkpoints and patrols ahead of time, state police still arrest drunk drivers.
Jon Roberts says
Interesting point. Announce the location as aggressively as possible so that anyone that enters the checkpoint should be fully aware of the pending demand for their “papers”. I guess that could work…
Jon Roberts says
For all the good these checkpoints do, it is still a violation of the 4th amendment. Without reasonable suspicion, you are not required to provide identification, information, or anything else for that matter. While I am happy for the crime it may have prevented, it does not justify the means. How is this different from allowing police to search your home without a warrant? We could just have certain high crime neighborhoods subject to “law-enforcement search days” where I’m sure police would find a number of illegal things in their searches through residential homes –but it still does not justify the means…
Irena says
It has been challenged many time over and has been found to be legal in most jurisdictions. Most judges felt it is because it serves a greater good.
I hate to tell you, police can search your home without a warrant if they have probable cause or if you give consent. The doctrine of plain view is one example. A sobriety checkpoint is no different. If an officer smells alcohol, see an open container etc. that establishes probable cause.
Personally I feel that there are more egregious civil rights violation that should be addressed.
Eric says
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
Greater good or not, it is a violation. The “effects” seems clear cut protection for your vehicle, and all electronics (including communication). Thanks to a bunch of fancy double-speak and word tapping, one of the brightest spots of our Bill of Rights has been trounced.
Jon Roberts says
I am aware of all of this. It is the slippery slope I’m afraid of. “Because it serves a greater good” forgets all the thought behind the 4th amendment. Police cannot search my home without either suspicion or my consent –that is legal. My fear is that most people will give consent so much that police will stop asking for it (as has been demonstrated time and time again).
Are there more egregious civil rights violations to be addressed? Sure! Them too. It’s not like there can be only one violation addressed at once…
Neale says
@Jon, it’s different because if you’re drinking at home (and not out drunk behind the wheel) you’re not likely to steer two tons of motor vehicle into another car or pedestrian and kill someone.
Stops like these have been routine in Australia for 30 years – so routine they no longer make news – and the nation’s road toll has dropped dramatically.
And is it regarded as an attack on civil liberties? No. It’s regarded as a very minor inconvenience protecting responsible citizens against a lethal road hazard.
Regarding targeting particular neighborhoods: drunk drivers don’t care whether they’re in a high crime neighbourhood or a low crime neighbourhood – they just don’t care…
Oh, and @Joe … Why would you publicise the location of these checkpoints? Surely that just tells people who don’t want police scrutiny what streets to avoid?
EducateEveryone says
I hope it takes place past 15th street West, somehow it always takes place from 10th street West to 55th street East. Go further down West, people of all colors and social means get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Amazing!!