Crime & Safety

DUI Checkpoint Nets 2 Drunks...and 19 People Without License

What do you think of DUI checkpoints? Are they an effective way to catch intoxicated drivers or do they unwittingly apprehend undocumented people who are not able to obtain licenses?

 

A DUI checkpoint Friday night nabbed two people for driving under the influence, but also resulted in citations for 19 people for driving without a license.

The checkpoint was set up on westbound Delong Avenue at Redwood Boulevard in Novato from 6pm to 2am Saturday. A total of 1,710 drivers were screened and two arrested for driving under the influence.

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But a whopping 19 people were cited for driving without a license and another four for driving on a suspended license. Seven cars were also towed.

Immigration advocates have long criticized DUI checkpoints are unfairly targeting undocumented drivers who under California law are not able to obtain driver's licenses. (Washington, Illinois, Utah and New Mexico all allow undocumented immigrants to obtain licenses, with other states pursuing similar bills.)

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Local law enforcement agencies say DUI checkpoints are a good way to catch intoxicated drivers and that they have no choice to cite drivers without a license, per California motor vehicle code.

What do you think? Are you concerned about how many people are picked up at DUI checkpoints for something other than drinking?


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