Home » California »Controversial DUI Laws in California

Controversial DUI Laws in California

The police in the California city of Huntington Beach want to begin a controversial DUI prevention program. The law in this program will allow the police department to publish the names of those suspected drunk driving. These names would be posted on the website of the police department. The police say this will be a deterrent to drunk driving in the city.

More articles on DUI Laws in California

Controversial Measure Will Curb DUI

Drunk driving is a significant problem, in the city known for its’ surfing. There are many bars, liquor stores, and clubs in the California city. So, the police department is contemplating putting the names, that are already public record, on their website. The police department says this will send a message that the city is serious about DUI and it will reduce the amount of drunk driving.

Maybe the Controversial Law Is Ineffective

However, previously a newspaper in the city published the names of DUI suspects. This policy has now been discontinued. When it was in affect the city did not see any noticeable reduction in the amount of DUI arrest and the numbers have not increased since the paper stopped publishing the names.

DUI Problem in the California City

Huntington Beach police typically arrest over 1500 people a year for DUI. Officials have reported that this number ranks the city in the top ten of similar sized cities. This illustrates the city has an issue to deal with when it come to drunk driving. The same officials also report that the city is in the top ten in the number of alcohol related traffic accidents. So, in the eyes of the police something has to be done.

Self-Perpetuating DUI Statistics

Some residents question the outcome of posting the names of those suspected DUI. They believe that this tactic will not do much good. Some feel the root of the DUI statistic problem in the city is self-perpetuating. The police see that there is a problem with drunk driving in the city so they make more arrest. This artificially inflates the statistics, which inevitably leads to more and more police action.