DUI Checkpoint Announced for Saturday

Milpitas police will be out looking for drunken drivers in the days leading up to Labor Day.

A checkpoint has been announced for Saturday near the intersection of Great Mall Parkway and Abel Street. No specific time was given, but in general, high-risk times are weekends and evenings.

“All too often, innocent, law-abiding people suffer tragic consequences and the loss of loved ones due to this careless disregard for human life," said Milpitas police Chief Dennis Graham.

"Because we’re committed to ending the carnage, we’re intensifying enforcement during the crackdown."

Thirteen county law enforcement agencies are participating in the  and runs through midnight Labor Day.

As of Monday, there were 56 arrests in Santa Clara County for drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 36 fewer than during the same three-day period a year ago.

“Our message is simple and unwavering: If we find you driving impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions,” said Graham. “Even if you beat the odds and manage to walk away from an impaired-driving crash alive, the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can still destroy your life.”

According to the Milpitas Police Department, violators could be arrested, face jail time and loss of their licenses, or sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Insurance rates may go up. Other financial hits may include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work and the potential loss of job or job prospects.

Nationally, nearly 10,850 fatalities resulted from alcohol-impaired driving above the legal limit in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In addition, the age group with the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle collisions was 21- to 24-year-olds.

To report drunk drivers call 911.    

contributed to this report.