DUI checkpoints in Petaluma

<p>Twelve motorists were arrested at drunken driving checkpoints in Petaluma Saturday night and early Sunday, police said.</p><p>Two drivers were arrested for driving under the influence, one for driving with a suspended license and nine for driving without a license, Petaluma Police Sgt. Ken Savano said.</p><p>The first checkpoint was on westbound East Washington Street at Gray Street from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m Saturday. Officers then moved the operation to cover both directions of Petaluma Boulevard at Oak Street from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.</p><p>A total of 1,378 vehicles passed through the two checkpoints, and 1,215 were screened by police for signs of driving under the influence.</p><p>Ten vehicles were towed, and eight were impounded for 30 days from unlicensed and suspended drivers, Savano said.</p><p>Including the results of a Friday night checkpoint in Petaluma, a total of 4,148 vehicles passed through and eight drivers were arrested for DUI.</p><p>Savano said the ratio of arrests to vehicles screened “seems low,” but the operations “succeeded in raising the awareness of the dangers of DUI driving for thousands of motorists.”</p><p>Funding for the checkpoints is provided by a state grant, Savano said.</p><p>—Guy Kovner</p>