The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office cracked down on impaired and unlicensed driving before the holiday weekend, setting up a checkpoint that ensnared more than a dozen drivers, officials said.
In an operation that spanned Friday night through the early hours of Saturday, deputies screened 1,076 vehicles on the 700 block of El Camino Real, in the heart of San Carlos, according to the sheriff's office. The checkpoint led to a dozen field sobriety tests, two of which resulted in DUI arrests.
Apart from the arrests for driving under the influence, one driver was taken into custody for possession of drugs with the intent to sell. Traffic violations also seemed rampant, with 36 drivers cited for operating their vehicles without a license. Additionally, one motorist was cited for failing to have their DMV-issued California Driver’s License on their person.
Even more troubling were the 2 citations issued for driving on a suspended license and the one driver caught putting a child at risk by neglecting to use a seatbelt. The crackdown serves as a reminder that the recklessness of driving impaired or unlicensed can come at a hefty price – to the tune of an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties for first-time DUI offenders, not to mention a suspended license, the sheriff's office reported.
With festive celebrations in full swing, authorities remind the public to designate a sober driver or use a car service to ensure a safe end to the night. The program, which hopes to deter drivers from making impaired decisions, is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, channeled through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. One vehicle was also towed during the intervention.
