DUI Checkpoint nabs drunk drivers and other infractions

If you were out and about on Sunday evening, near PCH and 1st street, you no doubt saw or even may have been stopped by the tri-city DUI checkpoint.  

Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, and Cypress police departments were out in force Sunday evening issuing citations for driving without a license and no proof of insurance. Additionally, and a 16-year old was cited for driving other people  in their car during their probationary period.  The checkpoint nabbed a few drunk drivers as well, sending them to the local Seal Beach jail to sober up and then make a phone call to get home.  

Sergeant John Scott of the Seal Beach police department headed the tri-city task force.  "We are here to enforce and educate the public about drinking and driving," he said.  It is good that the public sees us and understands that driving under the influence in Seal Beach and the other cities participating will not be tolerated, said Scott. First year police officer, Nick Nicholas has already nabbed nearly 50 DUI suspects this year.  Each city receives grant money from the federal government to establish DUI checkpoints throughout the tri-city areas.  There is no direct cost to the city.  In fact, the police explorers and the CERT team are 100% volunteers during the many DUI checkpoints that are carried out each year.

According to Sergeant Scott, "we could not do these checkpoints without these volunteers." That appears to be very true.  Police explorers shadow the police officers during the field sobriety tests.  The field sobriety test (FST) is a comprehensive series of both questions and observations made by the administering officer.  Both federal and state courts have established a clear and precise way that DUI checkpoints and FST's are to be carried out in the field.  For example, officers are not allowed to just pick and choose who is stopped and who isn't.  There is an established random system (ie: every third car, etc.), and from there, a brief interview is conducted between the driver and the officer.  A valid driver's license and proof of insurance is required.  The officer asks the driver if he or she has drank alcohol or used any drugs. All the while, the officer is checking pupils, odd or delayed behaviors, and listening for answers.  

Most interviews are quick. The license and insurance is confirmed, and the motorist is on their way.  In other cases, when the driver admits to drinking earlier in the day, or gives the officer reason to suspect the driver may be under the influence, the driver is asked to exit the car and the FST begins.  The suspect's car is moved to a curb by a Police Volunteer (VIP) while the suspect is FST'd.  A form is used to record all data and observations by the officer.  A more specific interview is given to the suspected drunk driver, followed by a series of simple tasks that are to be performed by the suspected drunk driver.  Some of these tasks include touching the tip of your nose, walking a straight line, and answering questions that are easy.  The FST concludes with  a reading of a legal prepared statement and the suspected drunk driver can either agree to a breath test or they may refuse and go to jail and take a blood test later.  

The Seal Beach DUI checkpoint was the same day that an Irivne teenager, while being driven home in a friend's car, was blindsided by a 26-year old drunk driver, and as of this writing, is on life-support to preserve her organs for donation.  Drinking and driving is a deadly combination, and that has been proven.  Having the tri-city DUI task force and the volunteers to help, makes life better and safer in our area.