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# Santa Monica DUI checkpoint warns drivers ahead of holiday weekend
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/121707-story/
- Published: 2007-12-17T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T04:25:33.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Crime, Santa Monica, #archive-import

dangers of drunk driving, people still do it every day, resulting in the deaths of nearly 1,411 Californians each year — an average of four per day, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which provided the department with pamphlets that were handed out Saturday night, along with candy canes and refrigerator magnets warning against drinking and driving.

More than 32,000 Californians are injured every year because of someone driving while impaired, an average of 88 per day.

“Unfortunately, the best way to reach people is to have someone close to them be a victim,” Horn said. “That seems to be the best deterrent. The most frustrating thing is the repeat offenders. These are people who have three or four drunk driving arrests and they still continue to break the law and put people at risk.”

Another driver was doing just that by riding around with an empty, 22-ounce Corona bottle in his mini-van. Officers placed the bottle on the roof of the van and had the driver, an Hispanic man who appeared to be in his mid-30s, follow a light with his eyes. It was unclear if the man finished the Corona bottle that evening or in the days prior to the check-point. What was clear is that he was going to be placed under arrest.

“We’re looking for people with red, watery eyes, slurred speech,” Horn said.“We really just want to talk with them, ask for their license. You’d be surprised what you get instead. I’ve had people hand me their Mobile (gas) card or their library card.”

When he was on patrol, Horn said his favorite test of sobriety was to have drivers write out the alphabet on a piece of paper. Before writing, Horn will ask the driver about their education. Some would write the same letters multiple times or write illegibly.

“There was nothing better than showing up in court with that piece of paper and their signature on it,” Horn said.

DUIs aren’t the only things officers are looking for during the checkpoints. They are also looking for those who are driving without a license or on a suspended license and people with warrants.

During Saturday’s operation, at least one driver and his family had to take a cab home because he was driving without a license. The family, which included a young boy and an elderly woman, took what they could out of the trunk and placed it in the cab and drove off. They had to pay for the cab and for the tow.

Horn said he would prefer it if no citations were issued or arrests made, but he knows that’s not the reality, especially during this time of the year. Officers will be out in force looking for impaired drivers, especially on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

“Just because we make no arrest doesn’t mean there are not drunk drivers out there,” Horn said. “We can’t screen everyone, but if we just make one or two arrests, all of this is worth it. That means one or two drunk drivers who are not on the roads, creating a possibly deadly situation.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 17, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/121707.pdf?ref=smdp.com)