Two DUI Checkpoints Sked in Redlands

Redlands police are partnering with law enforcement statewide in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign that lasts through Sept. 3, a city spokesman announced Tuesday.

As part of the campaign, two sobriety checkpoints are scheduled this weekend in Redlands, Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said.

The first DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint is scheduled 10 p.m. Friday Aug. 24 to 3 a.m. Aug. 25 in northbound lanes of Orange Street between Pennsylvania and San Bernardino avenues, Baker said.

The second DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint is scheduled 10 p.m. Saturday Aug. 25 to 3 a.m. Aug. 26 in southbound lanes of Wabash between Brockton and Colton avenues, Baker said.

In 2010, 791 people died in California in crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal limit, Baker said. The age group 21 to 24 had the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2010, Baker said.

"On average there is one alcohol impaired driving-related fatality every 51 minutes across America," Redlands Police Sgt. Ricky Smith said.

"Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign reduces alcohol-impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent," Smith said. "By joining this statewide effort, we will make Redlands’ roadways safer for everyone throughout the Labor Day period."

San Bernardino County Avoid the 25 Task Force will also deploy DUI Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local Roving DUI patrols during the 18-day Summer/Labor Day Campaign.

"Obviously we want to remind everyone that it is illegal to drive impaired, and we hope the campaign will remind people that if they plan on drinking, to never get behind the wheel," Smith said. "But if someone does choose to drive impaired, we will arrest them. No warnings. No excuses."

Violators will face jail time, loss of their driver's licenses, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks, Baker said. Their insurance rates go up. Other financial hits include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects.

"When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation," Baker said.

Sobriety checkpoints in Redlands are funded in part by the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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