June 18, 2005
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

8 ARRESTED FOR DUI DURING DELTONA TRAFFIC SAFETY OPERATION 

Eight motorists were arrested for driving under the influence during a safety checkpoint operation Friday night in Deltona. Officers from five agencies participated in the operation along Howland Boulevard across from Deltona High School. A total of 1,999 vehicles passed through the checkpoint during the six-hour operation that kicked off Friday evening and continued into the early morning hours on Saturday. 

While the operation focused primarily on impaired drivers, officers also made equipment and seat belt checks and wrote a total of 198 citations. The operation was considered an overwhelming success, according to Sergeant Brodie Hughes, supervisor of the Sheriff’s Office’s Deltona traffic unit. “These operations are a good enforcement tool to make the streets as safe as possible for the motoring public,” said Sergeant Hughes. “Every DUI arrest we made may very well have saved a life.” 

In addition to the eight DUI arrests, a 19-year-old motorist was cited for violating the state’s .02 alcohol limit for drivers under the age of 21. Other criminal citations were issued for violations such as driving with a suspended license or having no valid license as well as several misdemeanor drug offenses. A total of 17 people went to jail during the operation. 

The most common traffic citations issued during the operation included no proof of insurance, improper or unsafe equipment, failure to carry the vehicle registration and failure to carry a driver’s license. Officers also wrote three open container citations. Friday’s operation was hosted by the Sheriff’s Office. Officers from the DeLand Police Department, Orange City Police Department, Daytona Beach Police Department and the South Daytona Police Department also participated. Civilian personnel from the Sheriff’s Office and the Orange City Police Department also assisted.