The Chula Vista Police Department held three drivers on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
The checkpoint was conducted between 6 p.m. and midnight Friday in the 300 block of East H Street, the department announced.
Of the 4,010 vehicles that traveled through the checkpoint, 1,070 vehicles were screened, and seven drivers were given sobriety tests, according to CVPD officer Oscar Miranda.
Sixteen citations were issued to unlicensed drivers or motorists with suspended licenses. Four vehicles were impounded.
The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.
According to the California Highway Patrol, drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of arrests to include jail time, fines, fees. DUI classes, licenses suspensions, and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.
”The Chula Vista PD will be conducting additional DUI/ Driver’s License Checkpoints through the remainder of the year in our ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways,” police said.
In October 2021, the CHP and the California Office of Traffic Safety partnered to reduce the number of crashes caused by impaired drivers in The Impaired Driving Reduction (IDR) education and enforcement campaign, which continues through Sept.30, 2022.
More than 90,000 DUI violations for alcohol and/or drugs were cited in 2020 by CHP officers state-wide. The grant will provide CHP finding to conduct additional saturation patrols, checkpoints, and traffic safety education efforts throughout California.
According to CHP, these efforts are designed to remove impaired drivers from the roadway and educate the public regarding the dangers of DUI. Additionally, the agency will actively participate in California’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over public awareness campaign.
A DUI does not just mean alcohol, according to the CHP. The violation involves alcohol, cannabis, certain prescription, over-the-counter medications, illegal drugs, or any combination that can affect your ability to drive and will result in an arrest if you are under the influence.
“Always make good decisions and plan ahead by designating a sober driver, take public transportation, or call a taxi or ride-share. There is always a better option than getting behind the wheel while impaired,” the CHP wrote in a press release.
The public is encouraged to call 9-1-1 if they observe a suspected impaired driver, and be prepared to provide the dispatcher a location, direction of travel, and vehicle description.
