Drunk driving prevention campaign intensifies in San Mateo with checkpoint and public safety push
San Mateo, California – The San Mateo Police Department will set up a DUI checkpoint on Saturday, December 14, 2024 in order to support to reduce drunk driving and improve public safety. Operating in the South Norfolk Street and Shoreview Avenue area—identified as a hotspot for DUI-related events—the checkpoint will run from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Strategically placed depending on crash statistics and impaired driving patterns, DUI checkpoints are a vital weapon in the battle against drunk and drug-affected driving. These checkpoints are meant to be a visual deterrent as well as a means of spotting and removing drunk drivers, thereby encouraging drivers to make better decisions prior to getting behind the wheel.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Traffic Sergeant Craig Collom said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”
Statistics show an upsetting picture of the risks involved in drunk driving. Drunk driving claims more than 10,000 deaths annually across the nation. The problem, though, goes beyond booze. Driving under the influence, the San Mateo Police Department underlined, covers impairment from over-the-counter medications, prescription narcotics, even marijuana. Although marijuana use is permitted in California for both medical and recreational uses, driving under its influence is illegal.
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For individuals found driving under influence, the penalties are severe. An offender convicted of a first-time DUI might pay fines and penalties averaging $13,500. Beyond the financial load, offenders run the risk of having their driver’s license suspended, therefore influencing their everyday lives.
By making these potential repercussions clear, the San Mateo Police Department hopes to discourage impaired driving and foster a culture of responsibility among drivers. San Mateo Police Department wants people to understand the gravity of their actions before they make the mistake of driving impaired.
The upcoming checkpoint is made possible by funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through a grant provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These partnerships highlight a shared commitment to lower road deaths and injuries resulting from drunk driving.
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The San Mateo Police Department encourages all citizens to give safety a top priority as the holiday season gets underway—a time usually filled with festivities and gatherings. There are several strategies to avoid drunk driving and guarantee everyone returns home safely including designating a sober driver, employing ridesharing services, or arranging other travel plans.
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This checkpoint serves as a reminder that driving under the influence is a choice with potentially life-altering consequences. The San Mateo Police Department wants to safeguard not only drivers but also everyone else using the road by raising awareness and responsibility.
