San Jose, the third-largest city measured by population in California offers history, entertainment, and breathtaking landscapes. Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose has it all, including a very high rate of traffic-related fatalities. Unfortunately, this Southern California town also boasts a high number of driving under the influence (DUI) violations as it ranks in the top ten of cities with the highest drunk driving arrests and accidents, but San Jose law enforcement is fighting back.
To decrease the number of such accidents, San Jose has allotted extensive funding to such programs as sobriety checkpoints. The police department’s traffic enforcement unit periodically conducts publicized checkpoints to screen for those driving under the influence.
San Jose's vigilance on drunk driving is so intense that the city council recently asked law enforcement if perhaps they were being a bit overzealous in their attempts to combat this problem.
Apparently, law enforcement does not believe so as sobriety checkpoints are not their only line of defense. The following is a sampling of additionally funded programs in effect and making San Jose road safety a number one priority.
Operation Safe Passage
During assigned time frames, most often during the summer months, holidays, and spring break, law enforcement places emphasis on the enforcement of all traffic laws. Most often this surveillance takes place around school zones during peak times to encourage safe driving as a means to protect both children and adults.
Traffic Safe Communities Network
This program is also known as TSCN encourages a community collaboration headed by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. The program sponsors three workgroups:
- Alcohol and impaired driving,
- Bicycle and pedestrian safety, and
- Roadway safety.
All three workgroups are designed to encourage and develop creative solutions to meet the county’s traffic safety challenges.
Every 15 Minutes
This program is an example of another DUI/safety program in San Jose that offers realistic DUI education to high school teens. Those enrolled in this program will visit a staged DUI fatal crash and a mock funeral. This two-day event targets both juniors and seniors and has been defined as a very powerful and true-to-life program.
Sober Graduation
This program has been in effect for more than 30 years and is a community-based program that targets teens who will be graduating within a few short months. The program focuses on such senior events as:
- Prom night,
- Graduation, and
- End-of-the-year school activities.
Just like the Every 15 Minutes program, the Sober Grad curriculum is realistic in nature and educates students on the consequences of drinking while under the influence. Simulator vehicles, jail tours, mock trials, graphic accident photos, a tour of the county morgue, and stories told by those who have lost loved ones due to drunk drivers round out the program.
DUI Crash Trailer
The DUI Crash Trailer offers realistic evidence of a vehicle that was involved in a fatal collision with a drunk driver. The San Jose Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit conducts presentations at local high schools with the hopes of educating students on the dangers of driving while under the influence.
If on a recent trip to the San Jose area you experienced allegations of a DUI, San Jose DUI defense attorney, Nick Cvietkovich understands the best defense relies heavily on the accuracy of protocol and procedures by the arresting officer and all others involved. At the Law Offices of Thomas Nicholas Cvietkovich, we understand that good people often find themselves in adverse situations. We also understand that a DUI does not have to ruin your life and we are here to help. Contact our office today at (408) 898-9770 to learn more about your legal options.
Sources:
http://www.sanjose.org/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/top-cities-for-drunk-drivers/
http://www.sjpd.org/BFO/SpecialOps/TEU/Traffic_Safety_Programs.html