Police to Crack Down on Impaired Drivers

By Lookout Staff

September 18, 2024 -- Santa Monica police will hold a driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoint between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city, police officials said Wednesday.

The primary purpose of the checkpoints -- which are located based on data showing incidents of DUI crashes -- is to take "suspected impaired drivers off the road," officials said.

"Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk," police officials said. "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety."

Last June, an 18-year-old boy had a leg amputated after a drunk driver slammed into him while he was waiting for a bus. Three months later, a Santa Monica traffic officer was seriously injured when a drunk driver struck her scooter.

Impaired driving is caused not only by alcohol but by drugs, including marijuana, and some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs, police said.

During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, a "dangerous" condition that "puts others on the road at risk."

Under California law, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content level (BAC) of .08 percent or higher.

According to the California Driver Handbook, it takes two drinks consumed within one hour by a woman between 120-160 pounds and three drinks by a man between 180-220 pounds to be over the legal limit.

One drink is based on 1.5 ounces of liquor (40 percent alcohol), 12 ounces of beer (4.5 percent alcohol) or a 5 ounce glass of wine (12 percent alcohol). The BAC lowers at a rate of .01 percent for every 40 minutes between drinks.

Police also advise drivers to check the side effects of medications. "Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or operating heavy machinery,” which includes cars, officials said.

"While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal," officials note.

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

A driver can be charged with a felony DUI when the driver causes an accident that kills the victim or causes bodily injury.

Funding for Friday's checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.