The streets of San Mateo will see increased law enforcement activity on Saturday, December 14, as local police set up a DUI checkpoint on South Norfolk Street and Shoreview Avenue to quickly nip any potential impaired driving incidents in the bud. According to a social media post from the San Mateo Police Department, the checkpoint will operate from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Sgt. Craig Collom informs the public that such locations are carefully plucked based on data suggestive of where impaired driving-related crashes tend to concentrate. "Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk," Collom said. "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety," he further explained, as per the San Mateo Police Department's social media. With staggering statistics showing that more than 10,000 lives nationally are claimed yearly by drunk drivers, the community's safety is the checkpoint's priority.
San Mateo PD is urging residents to remain aware that not only alcohol but also other substances can impair one’s ability to drive. Drivers should be mindful of prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs, as well as marijuana, which can all affect driving abilities and result in DUI charges. A first-time DUI can set an individual back around $13,500 in fines and penalties, with the added consequence of a suspended license.
Grant funding for this checkpoint has been provided through the California Office of Traffic Safety, facilitating the campaign to hopefully significantly drive down the occurrences of impaired driving offenses. This initiative is also backed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, emphasizing the broad support for the DUI checkpoint strategy.
