SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The San Francisco Police Department is planning on implementing DUI checkpoints on the annual 4/20 holiday, this Saturday April 20. SFPD’s Traffic Unit will be implementing the checkpoints between 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. Sunday, according to a media release from the City and County of San Francisco.
Officers will be looking out for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, according to the release. Specially trained officers may also be deployed to “evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving,” the release said. Recent statistics were cited indicating that 30% of drivers in fatal crashes had one of more drugs in their systems.
The news release also cited a study of active drivers showing that more tested positive for drugs that impaired driving than alcohol. “Of those drugs,” the release stated, “marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4%, slightly more than alcohol.”
The news release also cited research indicating that well-publicized DUI checkpoints and patrols can reduce crashes involving impaired drivers by up to 20%.
“Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000, not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out,” the release also said.
San Francisco’s traditional official 4/20 celebration on Hippie Hill has been canceled this year. Organizers of the even cited city-wide budget cuts, the economy and headwinds facing the cannabis industry as reasons behind the abrupt cancellation last month.
