Nearly 500 vehicles were screened at a traffic checkpoint in downtown San Luis Obispo on Friday night.
The police department’s traffic unit conducted the DUI/driver’s license checkpoint along the 900 block of Marsh between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m.
The department sent a press release highlighting the results on Saturday.
No one was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but one suspect was arrested for illegal drugs. Another was arrested on criminal charges. Two were “cited/arrested” for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended or revoked. One citation was issued.
“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,” Sgt. John Villanti stated.
“In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes. San Luis Obispo 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.”
