By Daily Press staff
WILSHIRE BLVD — The Santa Monica Police Department nabbed three drunk drivers and impounded four vehicles last Saturday in an effort to reduce the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes.
At a sobriety checkpoint in the 2800 block of Wilshire Boulevard, officers randomly searched 228 vehicles out of a total of 1,140 that passed through the area from 9:45 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., said SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega. Three drivers were found to be under the influence of alcohol and were arrested. Citations were issued to four other drivers: one for driving without a license, another for driving without a license in possession, and another for possession of marijuana. The reason for the fourth citation was unknown at press time.
The checkpoint was paid for through a grant from California’s Office of Traffic Safety as part of the national campaign “You Drink and Drive. You Lose.”
In a statement, SMPD Chief James T. Butts Jr. reminded people, “Don’t risk it. If you plan to drink, don’t drive.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 17, 2006. Read the original PDF.