San Bruno DUI Checkpoint Nets 2 Arrests

From the San Bruno Police Department:

San Bruno, CA – The San Bruno Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver License checkpoint on July 23, 2016, at East San Bruno Avenue and 7th Avenue, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence, while also ensuring the safety of officers and the public.

DUI/Driver License checkpoints have been shown to lower DUI deaths and injuries. A major component of these checkpoints is the deterrent effect they have on those who might drive drunk or drug impaired, bringing about more awareness and encouraging everyone to use sober designated drivers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Ninety percent of California drivers approve of checkpoints.

The following physical arrests were made during this checkpoint operation:

- 26-year-old Amipeliasi Fakapelea of East Palo Alto arrested for DUI alcohol and

driving while his license was suspended for DUI.

- 35-year-old Taulani Takapautolo of East Palo Alto arrested for an outstanding

warrant and possession of a controlled substance

The following is a summary of the other relevant statistics for this operation:

• 1,062 vehicles Screened
• 1 DUI alcohol suspect arrested
• 14 drivers given field sobriety tests
• 8 drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked
• 8 citations issued

Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving and reminds everyone that all it takes to save lives is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab, but whatever you do, don’t drink and drive.

The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role. They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes and other expenses that can exceed $10,000; not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out they’ve been arrested.

The San Bruno Police Department will be conducting additional DUI/Driver License Checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols throughout the year in its ongoing commitment to reduce the number of deaths and injuries occurring on our streets and highways.

This checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Image via Shutterstock