Fortuna Police Dept. Press Release:

The Humboldt County “AVOID the 7” DUI Task Force conducted a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on December 20, 2013 near the intersection of Samoa Boulevard and G Street in Arcata between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.

DUI/Drivers License checkpoints have been shown to lower DUI deaths and injuries. A major component of these checkpoints are the deterrent effects it has on those who might drive drunk or drug impaired, bringing about more awareness and encouraging everyone to use sober designated drivers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Ninety Percent of California drivers approve of checkpoints.

As a result of the checkpoint:

846 Vehicles Screened
4 DUI-Alcohol suspects arrested 
1 DUI-Drug impaired suspect arrested 
5 Drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked

The “Avoid the 7” DUI Task Force will conducting DUI saturation patrols in various cities from now until New Years in our ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways.

The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1!