Malibu DUI Checkpoint
A DUI checkpoint located on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu resulted in nine arrest, only one of which was for suspicion of DUI. The statistics for the April 11, 2014 checkpoint are as follows:
1463 vehicles traveled through the checkpoint
1240 drivers were actually checked at the checkpoint
1 arrest for suspicion of DUI
2 arrests for driving with a revoked or suspended license
6 arrests for driving without a valid driver’s license
While DUI checkpoints are set up to find intoxicated drivers, once contacted, drivers can find themselves in trouble for other issues.
Driver License Issues in Colorado
In Colorado, there are multiple reasons a person may not have a driver’s license. There is a difference between a valid driving privilege and a driver’s license. All people who have a valid driver’s license, have a valid privilege to drive, but not all people who have a valid privilege have a valid driver’s license. Every person has a privilege to drive in Colorado, including people who do not have a Colorado driver’s license.
Driving privileges can be invalidated for 3 basic reasons: revocation, suspension and denial or cancellation. An example of a reason a privilege is revoked is for a DUI. If a privilege is revoked based on a driver’s BAC exceeding the legal limit, the revocation is in effect for a specific period of time. An example of a reason for suspension is for a driver who accumulates too many points in a set period of time. In this situation, the suspension is also for a set period of time. An example of a reason for cancellation or denial is if a person is obligated to pay child support and has fallen behind. A cancellation or denial is different than a revocation or suspension because the driving privilege can be reinstated as soon as the reason for the cancellation or denial is fixed. In this example, as soon as the driver gets caught up in his or her child support obligation, the privilege can be reinstated.
Even if a person has a valid privilege to drive, to be completely legal to drive in Colorado, the driver must also have a valid driver’s license. Additionally, the driver must actually have the license with him or her, as well as proof of insurance, at the time of driving.
Source: Malibu Times, April 12, 2014, Melissa Caskey