Tomorrow evening – Friday, June 28 – the San Bernardino police department will be increasing DUI patrols and holding a sobriety checkpoint at an undisclosed location in the city. From the hours of 6:00 p.m. Friday to 2:00 a.m. Saturday, law enforcement officers will be stopping vehicles that pass through the checkpoint, checking for drivers that appear intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. The checkpoint will also be used to check if motorists have driver’s licenses.
In addition to the checkpoint, San Bernardino PD will be conducting what is known as a Saturation Patrol. The patrol will be conducted on Saturday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Sunday in areas of the city with statistically high rates of DUI arrests. The DUI saturation program fields more officers than typically on patrol and ensures that they are on high alert for signs of impaired driving, including swerving, unsafe lane changes, and other signs of DUI.
San Bernardino’s intensified efforts to crack down on drunk driving fall in line with a multi-community – even national – campaign designed to keep public roadways safe. Numerous organizations and law enforcement agencies throughout San Bernardino and Riverside County are also involved in similar anti-DUI programs – and the results have been substantial.
In previous DUI checkpoint and Saturation Patrol events, the San Bernardino police department has arrested numerous suspects for DUI, driving on a suspended license, and even other various crimes. One DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint conducted on February 24th in the 1000 block of N. Del Rosa Avenue resulted in five arrests and 14 impounded vehicles. Another checkpoint the week before resulted in three DUI arrests. Funding for these programs is provided by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA).
California drivers who are arrested and convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol face some of the harshest DUI penalties in the nation. Depending on the charge involved and one’s prior criminal record – including any previous DUIs – penalties can include terms of imprisonment, community service, court-mandated classes, probation, fines, and extensive ongoing fees. The average cost of a first-time DUI exceeds $10,000.
If you or your loved one has been charged with a DUI in San Bernardino County, Riverside County, or any of the surrounding communities around the Inland Empire, be aware that the penalties and consequences you face are severe. Protect your rights and your future by retaining the representation of a proven San Bernardino DUI lawyer from the Law Offices of Thomas Wallin. Contact our firm to learn more.
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