Lake Elsinore Checkpoint Results; 2 arrested for DUI, 14 vehicles impounded

RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S PRESS RELEASE - The Lake Elsinore Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint on January 17th, 2014, as part of the city of Lake Elsinore’s commitment to public safety. This checkpoint was one of many that have been or will be conducted throughout the year in the city. The checkpoint was located El Toro Cutoff and Highway 74 in the city of Lake Elsinore. The goal of the DUI Checkpoint was to remove impaired and suspended drivers from the roadway and raise public awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Arrested for driving under the influence:

Steven Tada, 57 years, Lake Elsinore

Grant Clemens, 23 years, Lake Elsinore

846 Vehicles passed through the checkpoint.

32 Vehicles were diverted to secondary screening.

8 Persons were given field sobriety tests.

2 DUI suspects were arrested.

14 Vehicles stored or impounded for 30 days.

26 Unlicensed and suspended drivers sent to Court.

Alcohol and drug impaired driving causes serious injuries and deaths that have marred recent holiday celebrations. The Lake Elsinore Police Department is committed to working aggressively to reduce the incidence of needless tragedy that accompanies any alcohol related collision.

The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1!

DUI / Driver's License Checkpoint Planned this Weekend

The Lake Elsinore Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint on Friday, January 17th, 2014, at an undisclosed location within the city limits. DUI checkpoints are a proven enforcement tool effective in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough.

Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Officers will also check for proper licensing and will strive to delay motorists only momentarily. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

In the past 12 months the Lake Elsinore Police Department investigated 38 DUI collisions in which 55 persons were injured. Additionally during this time, the Lake Elsinore Police Department made over 202 DUI arrests.

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. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.

“Deaths from drunk and drug-impaired driving are going down in California,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). “But that still means that hundreds of our friends, family and co-workers are killed each year, along with tens of thousands who are seriously injured. We must all continue to work together to bring an end to these tragedies. If you see a Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.”

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Lake Elsinore Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, targeting those who still don’t heed the message to designate a sober driver.