Sonoma County DUI Press Releases
If you plan on going out in Sonoma County, please be aware of past and current DUI sobriety checkpoint locations. While most checkpoints are announced prior to their commencement, some are not disclosed until moments before they occur. To be safe, please have a designated driver assigned or hire a taxi. If you are arrested for
driving under the influence, contact our
California DUI Defense Lawyers as soon as possible!
Santa Rosa - March 23, 2012
Santa Rosa Police Department Traffic Bureau will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Friday, March 23, 2012, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. DUI checkpoints are a proven enforcement tool effective in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20% when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough.
Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint and looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Officers will also check drivers for proper licensing and will strive to delay motorists only momentarily. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.
Provided by the City of Santa Rosa
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Petaluma - September 16, 2011
The Petaluma Police Department will be conducting two DUI and driver's license checkpoints on Friday evening to detect and deter impaired driving and suspended/unlicensed drivers.
The locations of the checkpoints will not be disclosed to the public but the checkpoints are scheduled to begin Friday at 6 p.m. and continue until 2 a.m. on Saturday.
The department said that these operations are being conducted to raise the awareness of impaired driving by educating motorists, arresting impaired drivers and suspended/unlicensed drivers.
According to the Petaluma Police Department, funding for these operations has been provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Provided by an article on the Petaluma Patch.
Santa Rosa - July 29, 2011
The Santa Rosa Police Department will conduct a sobriety and driver's license checkpoint on Friday, July 29th, 2011, from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., in Santa Rosa, where a significant number of DUI-related collisions and DUI arrests have occurred. Officers will screen drivers passing through the checkpoint for sobriety and for a valid driver's license. Drivers found to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will be arrested, and unlicensed drivers may be cited and have their cars towed.
"DUI arrests can be embarrassing and expensive, but they're easy to prevent," said Sergeant Rich Celli. "If you're drinking, hand your keys over to a designated sober driver, or call a taxi or sober friend for a ride home. Don't risk an arrest--or worse, a serious injury or even death."
The purpose of the sobriety checkpoint is to reduce the number of traffic collisions related to intoxicated drivers and hit and run collisions. The checkpoint will serve as a reminder to use designated drivers and not drink and drive.
Our message is simple:
if we catch you drunk, you will be arrested.
It is the Santa Rosa Police Department's goal to continue providing public awareness on the dangers of drinking and driving, and the laws concerning driving without a driver's license. Motorists approaching a checkpoint will observe traffic signs, information and police officers advising that a checkpoint is ahead.
Once diverted into a lane, motorists will be delayed a moment while an officer explains the purpose of the checkpoint.
Funding for this checkpoint comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. We can all help make our streets safer, please report Drunk Drivers - Call 911.
Provided by the Santa Rosa Police Department.