DUI Checkpoint Planned Labor Day Weekend In Petaluma

PETALUMA, CA—The Petaluma Police Department held a DUI enforcement operation last Friday night and plans to conduct a Labor Day weekend checkpoint, a sergeant said.

Five extra officers were on duty during the crackdown on Friday, Aug. 23, specifically assigned to look for impaired drivers, Petaluma police Sgt. Walt Spiller said. Out of 38 traffic stops, nine field sobriety tests were performed, and five DUI arrests were made for the night.

The upcoming DUI/driver's license checkpoint is planned for 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, to 2 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at an undisclosed location within Petaluma city limits.

"The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug-involved crashes," Spiller said. "Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely."

The location of a DUI checkpoint is chosen based on collision statistics, the frequency of DUI arrests, and safety considerations for the officers and the public.

During Saturday's checkpoint, officers will look for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and check drivers for proper licensing while aiming, police said, to delay motorists only momentarily. Specially trained officers will be on hand to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes, Spiller said.

In California, there were 1,370 deaths in 2021 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. This accounts for nearly a third of all traffic deaths in California. Nationally, the data shows impaired drivers killed 13,384 people.

"The Petaluma Police Department encourages people who visit and enjoy Petaluma to plan ahead and either designate a sober driver, use ride share or call a taxi to avoid drinking and driving. Driving Under the Influence is 100 percent preventable," Spiller said.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 to $20,000 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for Friday's DUI enforcement and the upcoming Labor Day checkpoint is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"The Petaluma Police Department is committed to increasing overall traffic safety and reducing the number of alcohol-related collisions," Spiller said. "We will continue our efforts to locate and identify impaired drivers."