Laguna Beach : 10 Arrested in Checks for Drunk Drivers

The first drunk-driving checkpoint to be tried in the city ended early Saturday with eight drivers arrrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and two others on “narcotics-related charges,” the Police Department announced.

“We’re extremely pleased with the results,” said Sgt. Linda Parker. More drunk-driving checkpoints will be tried in Laguna in the future, she said.

With help from the California Highway Patrol, police ran their checkpoint from 10 p.m. Friday to 2:45 a.m. Saturday on Laguna Canyon Road, where last year three people were killed in drinking-related auto accidents.

Opposite Irvine Bowl, officers stopped every third to fifth car heading out of the city and handed drivers pamphlets warning of the dangers of drunk driving. Drivers who appeared to be intoxicated were waved into a parking lot and given field sobriety tests.

Of the 1,023 drivers that passed the checkpoint, 503 were stopped and 19 were given sobriety tests, police said.

Police Capt. Jim Spreine said the checkpoint was arranged because drunk-driving arrests increased 83% during the past year, from 203 in 1984 to 372 in 1985.

Spreine said the upsurge is partly due to increased enforcement during holidays and summer months. He added, however, that patrol officers are encountering drunk drivers more often than in the past.