At a recent DUI/CDL checkpoint in Long Beach, one driver found themselves under arrest for driving under the influence, while another five were handed citations for operating a vehicle without a valid driver's license or with a suspended one. This enforcement action, which saw 1,290 vehicles passing through and 517 screened, was part of a broader effort to curb impaired driving, a blight that endangers all who share the roads.
The checkpoint was set up at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and 2nd Street, from the early evening hours of 6:00 p.m. through to the small hours at 2:00 a.m., on Jan. 23, according to the Long Beach Police Department. The placement of these checkpoints is strategic, reflecting the local data that indicates where impaired driving-related crashes are more likely to occur.
These DUI/CDL operations serve multiple purposes, from the immediate—removing potentially dangerous drivers from the streets—to the educational, raising public awareness about the risks associated with driving under the influence. Furthermore, such checkpoints act as a deterrent, signaling to those who may drive impaired that law enforcement is actively on watch for such behavior.
Commander Jeremy Boshnack underscored the risks of impaired driving, saying, "Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk." Acknowledging the complexity of impairment, he reminded that it's not solely the domain of alcohol. With the legalization of both medicinal and recreational marijuana, he pointed tout hat it's illegal to drive under the influence of such substances—a fact some may overlook.
For those caught and charged with a DUI, the stakes are high—an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, not to mention a suspended license. These high costs are a testament to the severe view the legal system takes towards impaired driving. The operations, including the recent one, are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as part of ongoing measures to promote safer roadways for everyone.
