Weekend Checkpoints Lead to 1 DUI Arrest

Checkpoints on Friday and Sunday evening resulted in one arrest for drunken driving, according to San Rafael Sgt. Christopher Coale.

The checkpoints are part of a holiday crackdown on drunken driving that began mid-December. In addition to checkpoints, local law enforcement agencies have increased patrols during the evenings.

On Friday, San Rafael police set up a checkpoint at the intersection of Andersen Drive and Gary Place. The checkpoint only ran from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. until it was cut short due to heavy rain, Coale said. Of the 913 cars that passed through the checkpoint,  13 field sobriety tests were given and one driver was arrested for DUI.

Sunday night's checkpoint at the intersection of Grand Avenue and East Francisco Boulevard ran longer, and 1,172 cars passed through with 14 sobriety tests administered. San Rafael police arrested a man visiting from Montana who had ecstasy and marijuana on him and a female from Sacramento for an outstanding warrant for prostitution in Alameda County.

For both nights, police arrested five drivers with suspended licenses, cited 24 unlicensed drivers, issued 12 traffic citations and towed nine cars.

The checkpoints are funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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