Hundreds Screened in Redwood City DUI Checkpoints, 2 Arrested

Local police say three DUI checkpoints held between Christmas and New Year's Eve in Redwood City were very effective, according to a statement sent out Thursday.

The Redwood City Police Department (RCPD)'s Traffic Unit conducted a DUI checkpoint on Dec. 29 at three different locations in Redwood City between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.

The locations were southbound El Camino Real at Hopkins Avenue, southbound Broadway at Beech Street, and northbound El Camino Real at Brewster Avenue.

"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," the department's statement said.

"DUI checkpoints have been proven effective at reducing DUI deaths and injuries," the statement read further. "A major component of these checkpoints is the deterrent effects it has on those who might drive drunk or drug-impaired - they bring about more awareness and encourage everyone to use sober, designated drivers." 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. 

Here are the stats from Redwood City's DUI checkpoints of Dec. 29, 2012:

• 708 vehicles passed through or by the checkpoint; 
• 540 drivers were screened; 
• 2 drivers were arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol; 
• 1 citation was issued. 

The Redwood City Police Department indicated it will be conducting additional DUI checkpoints in the coming months "as part of its ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways."

See our map to the left for where the checkpoints were spread out around the city.

Do you think DUI checkpoints are effective? Tell us in the comments below.

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