By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY
Senior Writer
The California Highway Patrol’s Aug. 22 DUI (Driving Under the Influence) checkpoint at the intersection of Highway 189 and North Bay Road in Blue Jay yielded less activity than expected and no arrests, said a CHP spokesperson.
An unidentified motorist is checked to see if he can walk a straight line. (Photo by Rhea-Frances Tetley)
The event, which began at 7 p.m. on Saturday and wrapped up at 1 a.m. on Sunday, saw over 250 motorists being screened for possible violations, with only a few drivers cited for driving without a valid license and no arrests, said CHP Officer Cody Capaez, one of about a dozen CHP officers at the scene.
An unidentified 31-year-old man – who was one of three drivers given a breathalyzer test – showed no signs of intoxication.
Officer Capaez, who has been with the statewide agency for nine years, told the Alpine Mountaineer the officers were concentrating their efforts on drug and alcohol-related offenses, not mechanical issues. When asked how an officer determines whether a driver is under the influence, Capaez said, “It’s based on the driver’s breath, whether they have slurred speech and the odor inside the vehicle, as well as whether there is a valid reason for having the windows rolled down.”
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, sobriety checkpoints are staffed by CHP officers who are trained in the detection of alcohol and/or drug-impaired drivers, as well as drug recognition experts, certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who are on site to provide on-the-spot assessments of drivers suspected of drug use. Officers are also equipped with handheld breath testing devices that provide an accurate measure of blood alcohol concentrations of suspected drunk drivers.
The CHP’s goal is to ensure the safe passage of each and every motorist by targeting roads where there is a high frequency of drunk driving. A sobriety checkpoint is an effective tool for achieving this goal. They feel that, by publicizing their efforts, they can deter motorists from drinking and driving. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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