Department News and Updates

Motorcycle DUI saturation patrols are set for Friday, May 4, as the Cinco de Mayo weekend begins, according to Traffic Capt. Denis O’Leary of the San Francisco Police Department. The operation will start at 7 PM, Friday, and end at 3 AM, Saturday. “Our Harley-Davidson Road Kings have a lot of maneuverability advantages over regular patrol cars,” the captain commented.

“We can ride right up to the driver’s window and check for any signs of alcohol or drug impairment,” he said. “There are a lot of motorcycles on the road, and you would be amazed at how many people do not notice us until they hear the sirens.”

On Saturday, May 5th, a DUI checkpoint will begin at 8:30 PM at Cesar Chavez St. and Van Ness Ave. and continue into the early morning hours on Sunday. Officers from the San Francisco Police Department, U.S. Park Police, San Francisco State University and the California Highway Patrol will be staffed at the DUI checkpoint.

In 2010, over 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. In California, this deadly crime has led to 791 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver.

The patrols are funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Cinco de Mayo DUI crackdown is in effect in 40 other counties in the state.