Police Nab Three Drunk Drivers

By Lookout Staff

Dec. 24 -- Police arrested three motorists for driving under the influence and issued 21 citations Saturday night at two DIU checkpoints set up on the south side of the city.

Police stopped a total of 59 vehicles in a six-hour period at unannounced checkpoints on Lincoln Boulevard south of Pico Boulevard and on Main Street south of Pico. About one-third were cited for various vehicle code violations.

The "saturation patrols" were part a Statewide DUI enforcement program "Drink, Drive, You Lose" sponsored by the State of California - Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

"The goal of these programs aim at educating and bringing awareness to our community while at the same time detecting and removing drunk drivers from our roadways," said Lt Frank Fabrega, the police department spokesman.

Because of the greater number of people who are on the road and who are celebrating, the holiday season is one of the highest periods for alcohol-related traffic deaths, according police.

Studies show a reduction in alcohol-impaired driving where checkpoints have been used, Fabrega said.