News ReleaseCity of Irvine
Public Information Office

1 Civic Center Plaza
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 724-6253
Fax: (949) 724-6045

9/6/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE #09/06/2009
Subject :

Sobriety Checkpoint Results
Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest
Contact :John Hare, Lieutenant, Irvine Police Department    (949) 724-7112
    jhare@ci.irvine.ca.us

IRVINE, CA (September 6, 2009): The Irvine Police Department conducted a sobriety/driver's license checkpoint during the evening hours on Saturday September 5, 2009.  The checkpoint was located at Jamboree and Birch in the City of Irvine.  As part of the Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest national DUI crackdown campaign, the purpose of the checkpoint was to deter impaired driving and hold accountable those driving under the influence. 

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) estimates that communities which consistently use sobriety checkpoints experience as much as eight times the reduction in DUI incidents as communities that use roving patrols alone.  Checkpoints have been highly effective in educating the public to the hazards of impaired driving.  According to MADD, in one survey, 79% of the public approved of sobriety checkpoints.

The California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Transportation Administration have given support for this project.

This checkpoint was staffed by sworn officers and professional staff from the Irvine Police Department, and by community volunteers.

No significant traffic delays were encountered as a result of the checkpoint.

Vehicles

Stopped

 

Sobriety

Tests

DUI

Arrests

Citations

Issued

338

11

3

9

 

For further information contact Lt. John Hare at (949) 724-7112.



The City of Irvine has a population of more than 212,000, spans 65 square miles and is recognized as one of America's safest and most successful master-planned urban communities. Top-rated educational institutions, an enterprising business atmosphere, sound environmental stewardship, and respect for diversity all contribute to Irvine’s enviable quality of life. This family-friendly city features more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports fields and dedicated open space and is the home of the Orange County Great Park – the first great metropolitan park of the 21st century.  For more information, please visit www.cityofirvine.org

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