IRVINE, CA -- The Irvine Police Department conducted a sobriety/driver’s license checkpoint during the evening hours on Saturday, December 17, 2005. The checkpoint was located on Mac Arthur Blvd. at Douglas in the city of Irvine. The purpose of this checkpoint was to deter the impaired driver through publicity surrounding the event and by the highly visible presence of officers at the checkpoint. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) estimates that communities that consistently use sobriety checkpoints experience as much as eight times the reduction in DUI incidents as communities that use roving patrols alone. Checkpoints have been highly effective in educating the public to the hazards of impaired driving. According to MADD, in one survey, 79% of the public approved of sobriety checkpoints.

The California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Transportation Administration have given support for this project.

This evening’s checkpoint was staffed by members of the Irvine Police Department, police support staff and volunteers. Statistics related to this checkpoint are as follows:

Total vehicles stopped: 337
DUI arrests: 4
Other arrests: 9
Citations: 17
Vehicles Towed: 10