AVOID THE 12 - CARPINTERIA CHECKPOINT RESULTS- MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

CARPINTERIA- May 24th, 2009

 Even though officers and deputies screened 535 cars that came through a Saturday night checkpoint in Carpinteria, they made only two DUI arrests from 22 investigations, said Sheriff’s Deputy Win Smith, Avoid the 12 coordinator.

They arrested five drivers for not being properly licensed and towed seven cars. This was the first DUI and driver’s license checkpoint held in the city. “Comments from motorists were appreciative,” Smith remarked.

The enforcement event, funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is part of a countywide, multi-jurisdictional Avoid the 12 Memorial Day weekend DUI crackdown that began on Friday and ends at midnight Monday.

There was brief excitement during one arrest, Smith said.

“Officers smelled alcohol on the driver’s breath. When they asked the man to step out of his car for further evaluation, he put the car in reverse instead of park. Officers stopped the run-away car and found that the driver was significantly impaired. His blood alcohol level will be determined by a blood test.”

California Highway Patrol officers from the Santa Barbara, Buellton and Santa Maria squads will continue their maximum freeway enforcement throughout the weekend.