Drunken Driving Crackdown Results in One DUI Arrest

Two separate DUI checkpoints over Labor Day weekended resulted in 11 arrests, 27 tows, 21 citations for unlicensed drivers and 32 moving violations, according to the .

Since August 19, several agencies have been conducting ongoing campaigns meant to curb drunken driving, including Marin County's "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" program and Sonoma County's Summer Mobilization Period, each run by their respective Avoid the 13 DUI task forces.

On Sept. 1, 1221 drivers passed through a checkpoint at the intersection of Lincoln and Grand avenues. Between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. five drivers were arrested for suspended licenses and one driver was arrested for an outstanding warrant and 10 vehicles were towed. Police administered six sobriety tests, but no drivers were arrested for drunken driving.

The only DUI arrest made was at a checkpoint on held at Grand Avenue and East Francisco Boulevard on Sept. 2. At that checkpoint, three drivers with suspended licenses were arrested, 15 unlicensed drivers were cited and released, one person was arrested on an outstanding warrant, 30 moving safety violations were issued and 17 vehicles were towed.

Statewide, CHP officers have arrested 468 drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both, according to provisional numbers released on Sept. 3.

The arrests represent an increase from last year's total of 436 DUI arrests from the first night of the long holiday weekend. Those statistics reflect arrests made between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday.

In Sonoma County, two people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence during a Friday night checkpoint in Santa Rosa that netted 11 other arrests for driver's license or substance-related violations.

"Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" is a national campaign led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Bay City News contributed to this report.