ESCONDIDO–The Escondido Police Department Traffic Unit arrested two individuals for driving under the influence during the DUI checkpoint.
One of those arrested was driving under the influence of marijuana. The checkpoint was in place at Second Avenue and Broadway, resulting in the following: 1 DUI – Alcohol suspect arrested; 1 DUI – Marijuana drug impaired suspect arrest; 41 vehicles were released to the owner or a designated driver; 4 vehicles were impounded; 1675 vehicles drove through the checkpoint; 931 vehicles were screened in primary; 45 vehicles were sent to secondary screening (drivers who could not produce a driver’s license or who were suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs); 24 total citations were issued; 1 suspended license; 20 for unlicensed driver; 2 no insurance, and 2 field sobriety tests.
Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.
In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes. The Escondido Police Department supports the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that aims to educate all 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.
Studies of California drivers have shown that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.