DUI checkpoint set up in Salinas ahead of New Years

Salinas police went out to look for drunk and drugged drivers Thursday night. Officers set up a checkpoint at East Laurel Drive to remind residents about the danger of driving under the influence, especially as people head into New Year’s celebrations this weekend.

Officials say they see DUI related accidents spike during the holidays and hope having the checkpoint will make people think twice.

“Once you go to a party and you start drinking, you are going to get braver and the alcohol is going to make you feel like you can drive,” said Sgt. Gerry Ross.

But Salinas police are warning people not to do it.

“From middle of December through Jan. 1, we historically find a lot of incidents of drunk driving and drunk driving crashes,” Ross said.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the nation’s largest nonprofit that works to stop people from driving under the influence, more than 10,000 people died in drunken driving crashes in 2015, and 290,000 were hurt.

Officers are hoping DUI checkpoints will help bring down those numbers this year.

“DUI checkpoints have been proven to be very effective, but it’s not just people drive through the check points and get arrested for drunk driving,” Ross aid. “The main reason is they deter drunk drivers.”

Salinas police said they expect thousands of cars to drive through their checkpoint, an opportunity for them to remind people not to get behind the wheel after a night of drinking and partying. And those driving sober still need to be careful.

“Just because your light is green, does mean someone is going to run the red light, so you still have to slow down and be aware and watch out for other drivers,” Ross said.

And even drivers inconvenienced by the checkpoint say it’s worth it.

“That’s fine. [It] don’t bother me because a lot of things happen this time of year,” driver Angelica Herrera

“I think they are important, especially during time like these, and toward Christmas and New Year’s,” driver Edgar Padeua added. “It’s just doing due diligence and keeping the community safe.”

Salinas police say they’ll have a lot of officers patrolling the streets this weekend, making sure people ring in the New Year safely.