FRESNO - The Fresno Police Department took a proactive stance against drunken or impaired driving this last weekend with DUI checkpoints and bar watches. On Friday April 13, 2018, the Fresno Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a Bar Watch operation in the Northwest Policing District. Several establishments that serve alcohol were monitored throughout the evening.
The Bar Watch Program is designed to bring awareness to the dangers of drinking and driving. It exists to deter, prevent, and remove impaired drivers from our roadways through a highly publicized educational campaign and vigorous enforcement. These operations utilize plain clothes and uniformed officers positioned outside drinking establishments looking for impaired drivers.
Friday night, officers arrested 1 driver for driving under the influence and 2 vehicles were impounded because their drivers were not properly licensed or were driving under the influence.
On Saturday the police department traffic unit conducted a DUI Checkpoint on April 14, 2018, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. High Visibility Enforcement efforts like this have a deterrent effect, lowering the incidents of impaired driving.
In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes. Fresno PD 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.
72 Vehicle enforcement stops
4 DUI-Alcohol suspects arrested
11 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked
49 Citations issued
Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more. The feature-packed app even has social media tie-ins and even a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.
Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.
Fresno PD will be conducting another DUI saturation Patrol on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in our ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways.
The DUI Saturation Patrol was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1’.
The Fresno Police Department encourages everyone to utilize designated drivers, local cab companies, or ride sharing services to get to and from your destinations safely.
