Keeping the community safe is one of the most important things the City of Carlsbad does. That’s why protecting quality of life and safety is one of the pillars of the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan. As such, the city is sharing a behind-the-scenes look at just one of the tools the Carlsbad Police Department uses to help keep our community safe – DUI and driver’s license checkpoints.  

• Carlsbad’s latest checkpoint was on Saturday night, Feb. 17, at Palomar Airport Road and Gateway Road in Bressi Ranch.  
• More than 1,700 vehicles passed through, with officers arresting two people on suspicion of driving under the influence and citing 18 for driving without a license.  
• Thank you to the roughly 20 officers who staffed the checkpoint, including some from the California Highway Patrol and Chula Vista Police Department.  

Alcohol-and drug-impaired driving cause one-third of all traffic fatalities in California, according to the state Office of Traffic Safety. The agency recently awarded the city a grant to help pay for enforcement tools like checkpoints.  

How a checkpoint works 

Checkpoints may appear to have an easy setup, with cones and electronic signs, but they actually take weeks of planning with multiple city departments. That includes the Public Works streets team to make sure there’s a traffic control plan in place. 

• Officers choose the location based on a few different factors, including whether there have been previous DUIs in that area and whether there’s already a plan in place to control traffic.  
• Not surprisingly, most checkpoints are held near areas where there is a high concentration of bars and restaurants. 

Once the location is determined, the Carlsbad Police Department notifies the public of the date and time as required by state law. (Police aren’t required to announce the location.)  

• The announcements used to be in the newspaper, now they’re on social media.  
• Getting the word out helps deter impaired driving, while educating the community about the dangers of driving under the influence.  

Most checkpoints begin around 7 p.m. Here’s how it works: 

• As drivers approach the checkpoint, they’ll see cones in the road putting them into a single-file line along with electronic signs explaining a checkpoint is ahead.  
• Officers will allow about 10 vehicles through, then stop the next seven. 
• When a driver rolls down their window, officers will ask to see their driver’s license and look for any signs of impairment.  
• If alcohol or drugs are suspected – or a person doesn’t have a license – they’ll be asked to step out of the car for further investigation while another officer pulls their vehicle off to the side.  

What happens if someone makes a U-turn? 

As traffic begins to slow and the checkpoint signs pop up, some drivers may be tempted to turn around. Police have already thought ahead, with chase vehicles stationed along the road to pull over anyone who tries to avoid the checkpoint. 

What if someone refuses to show their license? Or refuses an alcohol screening? 

Simply put, state vehicle code says a licensed driver who takes a car onto a public road must show their license at the request of a police officer. 

While drivers can refuse a breathalyzer test, officers can look for signs of impairment and administer sobriety tests like asking the driver to walk in a straight line or to tilt their head and touch their nose. Only people who have been arrested are required to give a blood or breath sample.  

Driving under the influence carries significant penalties. Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.  

Extra enforcement this weekend  

With St. Patrick’s Day this weekend, Carlsbad Police will have extra officers on patrol looking for signs of impaired driving. We’re also asking our community to follow the “see something, say something” rule. If you see someone you suspect is driving under the influence, report it by calling 911.