California DUI Checkpoints Not Limited to Super Bowl Weekend

With the Super Bowl approaching this weekend, southern California residents and visitors can expect many drunk driving checkpoints at various locations. Edhat Online Magazine notes that 105 alcohol-related injury accidents occurred in California with 11 deaths on Super Bowl Sunday in 2009. In 2010, 79 alcohol-related injury accidents took place in California with 4 deaths.

DUI checkpoints in California and throughout the United States have always been controversial in terms of the inconveniences they pose and their accuracy in properly identifying motorists who are illegally intoxicated. While DUI checkpoints can occur on any given day at any time, Super Bowl Sunday attracts a significant amount of attention in being considered an event that lays the foundation of temptation for drunk driving. However, as a recent OC Register article emphasizes, law enforcement often targets specific areas – Super Bowl or not – that are suspected of attracting drunk driving.

According to the article, Huntington Beach has been reported to have the most DUI crashes in California, causing police to issue a downtown foot patrol, apply for additional DUI checkpoint grants and ask for more education outreach for local bars and restaurants. Huntington Beach also recently sought permission to place the names of “habitual drunken drivers” on the police department’s Facebook page. This procedure was denied by a council majority in January.

If you plan on enjoying the Super Bowl with family and friends this weekend, don’t drive after you’ve consumed alcohol. One beer can go further than you think. It’s not worth facing steep fines, driver’s license suspension, jail time, and other penalties. Be sure to have a designated driver or don’t drink at all if you plan on driving.

It’s no secret that police officers can make mistakes. When major drunk driving checkpoints are issued, the pressure is on for law enforcement and some officers may be overzealous in the amount of arrests they make. Moreover, a person’s performance during field sobriety tests can be compromised by subjectivity, health problems, and other factors. Even breathalyzers can produce inaccurate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) results.

With these points in mind, if you or someone you care about has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in California, the Orange County drunk driving lawyers at Sitkoff & Hanrahan can help. Call 866-430-8383 as soon as you can for a free consultation with one of our skilled and aggressive attorneys.