More Checkpoints on the Way, Funded by CA Grant

If the presence of DUI checkpoints is like the tide, coming in waves, drunk drivers should prepare for a tsunami, at least here in Los Angeles County. We previously questioned the sudden dry spell, with nearly no checkpoints being announced between September 27 and October 26. Halloween brought a few, followed by another lull.

One might suspect that it has something to do with the holiday schedule. Over the summer, hundreds of checkpoints were held during the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends. Besides Halloween, what other “drinking” holidays happen in the fall? Another possible cause could have been the state’s ongoing budget crisis.

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If it’s the latter, consider the problem (somewhat) solved. According to EGP News, the California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded a grant of $450,000 to help fund the Avoid the 100 Anti-DUI Taskforce. We also learned that the name of the task force derives from the 100 participating law enforcement agencies. The funding should go towards additional checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols.

That’s good news for all, except those who make the poor decision to drive drunk. If vague threats of future enforcement are not enough of a deterrent, here is a list of three planned enforcements for this weekend, courtesy of @CheckpointsDUI:

• Malibu, California – DUI Checkpoint – Friday, November 9, 2012 – Undisclosed location – 7:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.
• Redlands, California – DUI Checkpoint – Friday, November 9, 2012 – Eastbound Citrus Ave, between Church St and Central Ave – 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
• Santa Ana, California – DUI Checkpoint – Saturday, November 10, 2012 – 2400 W. 5th Street – 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

As always, this is not a complete list of all enforcement efforts that will happen in the LA/OC/IE area this weekend. Those planning to celebrate or mourn a certain president’s election in style should plan ahead and locate a designated driver.

Related Resources:

• Consult a Los Angeles DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
• 25 Years Later: Ingersoll v. Palmer’s Checkpoint Guidelines (FindLaw’s Los Angeles DUI Blog)
• Drunk Rear Ends Parked Cop; Malibu Deploys New Anti-DUI Tool (FindLaw’s Los Angeles DUI Blog)
• DUI Suspect U-Turned Into a Concrete Wall … Twice (FindLaw’s Los Angeles DUI Blog)