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As with every weekend, the LAPD is out to nab drunkards off the streets. This weekend's DUI checkpoint, scheduled for 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., is in Sherman Oaks, just south of the 101 Freeway on Van Nuys Boulevard at Hortense. The Van Nuys Division, which serves Sherman Oaks, has seen 102 driving under the influence-related traffic collisions and 1,008 hit and runs. Stay safe out there and don't drink and drive!
Sobriety Checkpoint in Sherman Oaks Tonight
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Why have you given drunk drivers information on how to avoid getting caught, you idiots! I hope they move the DUI checkpoint to another location.
Zach - this is one of several times I have seen you announce specific DUI checkpoints. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have to assume you are doing this as a deterrent to keep people from driving drunk. Where you fall short is that people can simply avoid the intersection. You would arguably do more good by just saying there is a checkpoint in Sherman Oaks tonight, period. The unknown is a better deterrent rather than announcing the exact spot where the cops are going to be.
Actually LAPD issues a press release regarding these DUI checkpoints. They aren't secret. LAist is just one of the many news outlets that receives this press release.
Correct me if I am wrong Zach.
You are absolutely right, skd. And in a couple conversations with police officials, they don't mind at all. One officer told me the publishing of them helps deter some from drinking in the first place. The ultimate message is they are out there and you will be caught.
I'll be sure to avoid this intersection whilst I'm out driving drunk. Thank you, LAist.
I hope you keep posting these, Zach. It is useful info. to be able to avoid the traffic clusterfuck that these checkpoints can create. Keep 'em coming!
The Nov/Dec issue of "Westways" magazine (the official Autoclub magazine; free to AAA members) offers an article on the DUI problem, and they list possible solutions.
One of them suggests "sobriety checkpoints", and confirms that they are MORE effective when highly publicized.
Here is the paragraph concerning checkpoints from the article:
"Experts generally consider sobriety checkpoints to be the most effective deterrence strategy- esp when their locations are well publicized- because people think twice about drinking and driving if they believe there's a good chance they'll be arrested. Checkpoints can be expensive to operate, but low manpower checkpoints have been shown to be very effective"
So there you have it... the reason for publicizing checkpoints.
For those of you interested in some of the other suggestions to combat/address DUIs, the article also suggested Ignition Interlock Devices, safety belt enforcement (40% of people killed in DUI accidents weren't wearing belts), reducing the BAC limit for license suspension to .05 percent, server-intervention programs (hey bartenders! if you see a drunk ass person, maybe stop serving them!) and finally, increasing the cost of a drink.