Newport Beach DUI Checkpoint announced
The Newport Beach Police Department wants to get the word out, and announced a drunk driving checkpoint for tonight, December 23, 2016. The timing of the checkpoint are set for between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.. According to the press release, they are especially focusing on drug DUI cases, as well as valid driver’s licenses.
As one of a number of Orange County DUI Checkpoints scheduled for the holidays, the checkpoint will be somewhere in the City of Newport Beach city limits. It was not noted by the NBPD how the expected heavy rainfall tonight will affect the checkpoint operations.
If past locations are any indication, it is most likely (1) off Jamboree Road near Santa Barbara Avenue, next to Fashion Island, or (2) off Newport Boulevard, coming up to the beginning off the 55 Freeway, out of the Balboa Peninsula. Of course, the Newport Beach DUI checkpoint could be anywhere.
You can read the full press release from the Newport Beach Police Department here: http://www.nbpd.org/civica/press/display.asp?layout=12&Entry=605
As stated, “Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.”
Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000, not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out, or the effect of a DUI conviction on your career or license.
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Newport Beach Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Those grants can represent a substantial amount of money to individual officers, as they usually go towards officer overtime.
As we have stated before, DUI Checkpoints don’t work. They tend to be more about the money than about traffic safety, as they are not very effective in apprehending drunk drivers. If you have questions about DUI checkpoints, or need an Orange County DUI Lawyer, contact our firm today.