PASADENA, Calif.—Pasadena Police Department will be conducting a traffic enforcement program throughout the city and a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, August 16. The checkpoint will be at an undisclosed location within city limits between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m.
During the traffic enforcement program, officers will be deployed at various locations looking for violations including, but not limited to, speed, red light and right-of-way violations. When violations are observed, motorists will be cited and/or educated on the safety concerns associated with the violation.
“With the start of the new school year, the need for driver education and enforcement is very important,” said Traffic Section Lieutenant Mark Goodman. “We want to assist everyone in getting back into the swing of things. The overarching goal is safety and helping our community develop safe driving behaviors.”
The DUI/driver's license checkpoint will be placed at a location based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. They will also be checking drivers for proper licensing.
Pasadena Police Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.
“Avoiding a DUI arrest begins with making smart choices,” said Lt. Goodman. “Designate a sober driver or use a taxi or ride-share service to get home safely.”
In 2017, 1,120 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads. Last year, Pasadena Police Department investigated 73 DUI collisions, which claimed one life and resulted in another 32 injuries.
Pasadena Police Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:
- Always use a designated sober driver (a friend who is not drinking, ride-share service, taxi or public transportation) to get home.
- If you see someone who is clearly impaired try and drive, take their keys and help them make arrangements to find a sober way home.
- Call 9-1-1 to report drunk drivers.
- Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who's drinking and how they are getting home.
Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not! Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the cost of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses, not to mention possible jail time.
"Community input regarding traffic safety is welcome and encouraged, so feel free to let us know about problem locations," said Lt. Goodman. "We always use suggestions from the community, along with analytics, to form our deployment strategies." Lt. Goodman can be reached via e-mail at mgoodman@cityofpasadena.net.
Funding for these programs is provided to Pasadena Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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