News ReleaseCity of Irvine
Public Information Office

1 Civic Center Plaza
Irvine, CA 92606
949-724-6077

3/19/2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE #031807
Subject :

DUI Checkpoint After Action Report
Contact :Lt. Rick Handfield    (949) 724-7112

The Irvine Police Department conducted a sobriety/driver’s license checkpoint during the evening hours on Saturday March 17, 2007.  The checkpoint was located on Jamboree and Birch.  The purpose of this checkpoint was to deter the impaired driver through publicity surrounding the event, and by the highly visible presence of officers at the checkpoint. 

 

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 evening’s checkpoint was staffed by sworn officers and professional staff from the Irvine Police Department and Community Volunteers.

 

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

 

Vehicles

Stopped

 

Sobriety

Tests

DUI

Arrests

Citations

Issued

307

17

8

5

 

                 

For further information contact Lt. Rick Handfield at (949) 724-7112.

Since its incorporation in 1971, Irvine has become a nationally recognized city, with a population of 250,384, spans 66 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 cityofirvine.org.

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