Pomona Car Accidents Reduced Using Traffic Checkpoints

Pomona car accident lawyers noted that earlier this year, an unlicensed driver in Pomona failed to yield at the crosswalk of Phillips Boulevard and Hamilton Avenue. The driver struck two 6-year-old twins walking with their mother to school. According to police, one of the girls was hospitalized locally; the other suffered a broken femur and had to be airlifted to a hospital in Los Angeles. The girls' mother was not injured. Both girls are expected to fully recover from their injuries.

"Regrettably, this accident is one of many that have contributed to Pomona's tragic injury and death rate," said John Bisnar. "According to the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), in 2006, six pedestrians were killed and 92 were injured in Pomona car crashes. In addition, 33 people perished and 2,084 were injured in Pomona car collisions. Motorcycle accidents killed three and injured 57. DUI car accidents killed 13 and injured 180."

In an ongoing effort to reduce car accidents, Pomona has opted to continue its use of vehicle/driver checkpoints. Last year, city police screened over 6,300 cars at a checkpoint at the intersection of Mission Boulevard and Curran Place. Over 200 vehicle code citations were issued, 26 were for suspended licenses due to moving violations and convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Police also impounded 194 cars from drivers who had no California driver's license. One driver was arrested for refusing to sign a ticket for driving with a suspended license. Another driver was placed under arrest for an outstanding warrant that had charged him with a DUI.

The success of earlier checkpoints prompted Pomona to set up a follow-up checkpoint at Garey Avenue and West Pearl Street in November 2008. This checkpoint screened over 3,464 cars and police impounded 106 of them. Two drivers were placed under arrested: One driver was taken in on a traffic warrant; another driver was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition, a 34-year-old woman decided to evade police, making an illegal U-turn just north of the checkpoint and leading police on a two-mile chase through several residential neighborhoods. The chase ended when she ran a stop sign at White Avenue and Chester Place and collided with a Los Angeles County Paramedic unit. The woman was treated for her injuries and arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended driver's license, evading a police officer, and driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

"Traffic checkpoints, properly implemented, have proven effective in removing dangerous drivers from the road," observed John Bisnar. "Screening for DUI drivers has saved many lives."

BISNAR | CHASE 2006-2010 Super Lawyers names outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. BISNAR | CHASE has received this award for five consecutive years. Brian Chase was named one of the 2010 Top 50 Orange County Lawyers.