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DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint This Friday

OAKHURST – The Oakhurst Area of the California Highway Patrol will be conducting a DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Friday, June 27, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., somewhere within Madera County.

In addition, specially assigned officers will patrol the surrounding area searching for DUI drivers.

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough.

Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Officers 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, 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 deadly crime led to 774 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver.

“All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on our local roadways by intoxicated or unlicensed drivers,” said Oakhurst Area CHP Commander Adams.

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. Based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

“DUI Checkpoints have been an essential part of the phenomenal reduction in DUI deaths that we witnessed since 2006 in California,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the Office of Traffic Safety. Because the tragedy of DUI accounts for nearly one third of traffic fatalities, the Oakhurst Area CHP needs to conduct high visibility enforcement and public awareness. Checkpoints provide the opportunity to do this.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to California Highway Patrol by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to continue to work together to bring an end to these tragedies. If you see a Drunk Driver – Call 911.

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