Police Net Some Drunken Drivers, Others in DUI Checkpoint Friday Night

During a five-hour DUI checkpoint Friday night and early Saturday morning, Walnut Creek police and other members of a special countywide law enforcement task force made the following arrests in an effort to crack down on drunken driving:

•7 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence
• 2 were arrested on outstanding warrants
• 1 motorist was cited for narcotics possession
•19 motorists were cited for driving on suspended licenses
•16 vehicles were towed

The checkpoint was to be held at Lawrence Way near Penniman Way, at the entrance to northbound Interstate 680.

The checkpoint was part of an 18-day "Avoid the 25" Anti-DUI campaign. Twenty-five  law enforcement agencies from throughout the county are working together to look out for and arrest people for driving under the influence. In addition to the checkpoints, a task force, made up of local city and CHP officers and Contra Costa Sheriff's deputies will focus on looking for intoxicated drivers along Interstate 680.

The campaign goes through Sept. 6. These end-of-summer special enforcement efforts have helped significantly decrease the number of alcohol-related fatalities and injuries throughout California, according to a press release issued by the Contra Costa Sheriff's Department and the AVOID Anti-DUI Program.

For the checkpoint, all vehicles were checked, traffic volume and weather permitting. Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs were to be arrested.

The Avoid DUI program was launched in 1973 and receives grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.