It’s DUI Checkpoint Day In Carlsbadistan

by The Editors on September 2, 2011

Img 8893The Carlsbad Police Department will be hosting a DUI checkpoint today in Carlsbadistan at Palomar Airport Rd and Innovation Way (Bressi Ranchers beware!) giving you all kinds of reason to avoid this stretch of road today.

While they’d probably catch a lot more people driving under the influence on Sunday night, September 4, 2011, is nice of the department to host this DUI checkpoint on Friday before everyone really even gets started drinking. It also means more officers can get their work done and still get to their own responsible Labor Day partying the rest of the weekend.

Follow the jump for more info.DUI Checkpoint to be held in Carlsbad

Carlsbad, CA— Carlsbad Police Department will join nearly 10,000 other law enforcement agencies nationwide in support of an intensive crackdown on impaired driving August 19 – September 5, known as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” Carlsbad will conduct a DUI/Driver License checkpoint on September 2, 2011 at Palomar Airport Road and Innovation Way.

In 2009 alone, 10,839 people died in crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal limit, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The 21‐to‐24 age group has the highest percentage of alcohol‐impaired driving fatalities in collisions.

The consequences of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired have a lasting impact. Violators face jail time, loss of driver licenses, and driving restrictions. In addition, a DUI conviction has financial consequences including increased insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and potential job loss.

“All too often, innocent, law‐abiding people suffer tragic consequences and the loss of loved ones as a result of drunk driving.

Since many alcohol‐impaired accidents occur over weekends and at night, we will be especially vigilant during these high‐risk times,” said Police Chief Gary Morrison, Carlsbad Police Department. “Even if you beat the odds and walk away from a DUI crash alive, the trauma and financial costs can still destroy your life.”

The national Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over crackdown is led by NHTSA with the California Avoid DUI Task Force Campaign combining high‐visibility enforcement and heightened public awareness through publicity. For more information, visit the High‐Visibility Enforcement Campaign Headquarters at www.StopImpairedDriving.org .
Carlsbad Police Department recommends these simple tips for a safe Labor Day weekend:

— Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
— Before drinking, designate a sober driver
— If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation
— If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, call 9‐1‐1
— Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get home safely.

For more information on local and statewide Avoid DUI Task Force Campaign Enforcement Schedules and Daily DUI Arrest/Fatal Stats, visit the www.californiaavoid.org. The Program is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety who reminds everyone to please – Report Drunk Driving – Call 9‐1‐1!
Tips for Spotting and Reporting Suspected Drunk Drivers

How to Spot a Drunk Driver
The following clues can help motorists detect a drunk driver:
• Weaving/swerving in and out of the lane
• Weaving within the lane quite noticeably
• Traveling at speeds much slower than the flow of traffic
• Braking erratically or stopping in the lane
• Sudden stops for signal lights and slow start once they change
• Remaining at the signal lights once they turn green – asleep at the wheel
• Making wide turns and/or cutting the corner striking the curb
• Headlights off at night or on high beams
• Driving with the turn signals on
• Straddling the center line of the road or lane lines
• The driver looks intoxicated – starring straight ahead, face close to the windshield, and/or appears to be quite sleepy
• Aggressive driving – speeding, tailgating and multiple lane changes or unsafe passing may be the tell‐tale signs of intoxication

How to Report a Drunk Driver
• Call 911 and tell them you wish to report a suspected drunk driver. You do not have to give your name.
• Give a complete description of the vehicle, such as make, model, color and license plate number.
• Give the exact location of the vehicle, including the name of the road, cross streets and the direction
they’re traveling.
• Describe the manner in which the vehicle is being driven.
• Do not try to stop the car or detain the driver. Leave that to a law enforcement officer.

Courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

the gary puppet September 6, 2011 at 8:40 am

the cpd are fascists. they are reactionary and love to sweat local drivers over the most minor of “infractions” you are well advised to avoid them at all times.

Chuck Cannova September 6, 2011 at 1:17 pm
the gary puppet September 6, 2011 at 1:41 pm

i get that people are idiots to drink and drive, but cops use those checkpoints to hassle people over everything they can – tinted windows, no front license plate, etc. it is another excuse to hassle people who are otherwise minding their own business.

Fletch September 6, 2011 at 5:09 pm

33 years resident of C’Bad. Never been sweated by the local police…except when deservedly so…

the gary puppet September 6, 2011 at 6:35 pm

good for you. i have been. as always, some cops are better than others, but there is an institutional ‘tude that is completely unnecessary for such a mellow city as c-bad. i avoid them at all costs.

Freeman May 12, 2012 at 10:37 am

I don’t know about DUI checks but C-bad Police can be assholes on the wrong day… This morning I was standing outside my apt about 6.30 am & a cop rolled by, stopped and basically accused me of calling 911 repeatedly – the ‘evidence’ being I was the only person around at the time… The cop told me to take a seat (on the kerb) and gave me a proper grilling – until his buddy sort of diffused the situation with a smile. I am a white guy in my 50s & this was my first interaction with a U.S. cop (I’m originally from the UK)
I felt intimidated & slightly humiliated sat on the kerb even tho no one else was around… I’m pissed & its 3 hours later!

Freeman May 12, 2012 at 10:48 am

Almost forgot – after being allowed to get up I was advised to “go inside” – wtf? I didn’t comply with that… Cops left.
Is this kind of incident common outside the ‘hoods?
Confused.

Free Man May 13, 2012 at 10:11 am

What bullshit.. you didn’t even publish my comments of yesterday.. So much for free press in the west huh?

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