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Santa
Monica Police Department will be conducting a Driving under Influence
Checkpoint on Saturday, December 21, 2002.
The checkpoint will be operated during nighttime hours at an
undisclosed location in the City of Santa Monica.
The
holiday season typically is associated with travel and celebration is
one of the highest periods for alcohol-related traffic deaths.
Santa Monica Police selected this period to bring this public
awareness campaign to help prevent tragedies caused by drinking and
driving.
The
Santa Monica Police Department announced a widespread checkpoint
operation during the holiday season to apprehend drunk driving
offenders. Chief Butts said, “It’s our goal to make this holiday
season one of the safest seasons ever for those visiting and shopping
in Santa Monica.”
MADD
(Mothers Against Drunk Driving) believes sobriety checkpoints are one
of the most effective tools to detect and deter drunk drivers.
“Our roadways must be free from the threat of
alcohol-impaired drivers,” explained Ms. Tina Pasco, Executive
Director, MADD, Los Angeles. “Highly
publicized sobriety checkpoints alert motorist to stay off the roads
or designate a non-drinking driver to avoid a drunk driving arrest. Ms. Pasco said, “Checkpoints also provide an opportunity to
remind motorists to buckle up because seatbelts are the best defense
in a drunk driving crash.”
Public
opinion polls show strong support for sobriety checkpoints.
A 1990 US Supreme Court ruling established the
constitutionality of such stops for DUI enforcement and deterrence.
Studies show a reduction in alcohol-impaired driving where
checkpoints have been used.
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