The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
Officer Brian Walters spotted the Jeep weaving along Elson Green Avenue and flipped on his emergency lights. When the driver, a 40-year-old woman, pulled over, her speech was slurred and eyes were glazed.
Still, Walters was stunned when she registered a blood alcohol content of 0.40 - five times Virginia's legal limit for driving, a level generally associated with a coma and demanding medical attention.
Of the 135 arrests Walters made last year for driving under the influence, this woman was the most intoxicated. She had been on her way to do some shopping at 6:30 on a Saturday evening.
"They're not usually tourists," Walters said of the drivers arrested for DUI. "They're people who live here who overindulge."
Last year, Walters and other Virginia Beach officers arrested 2,321 people on drunken-driving charges - nearly double the combined DUI arrests made by Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Norfolk and Suffolk police.
In all, DUI arrests made by Beach police accounted for about 9 percent of all drunken-driving arrests statewide. The city has less than 6 percent of the state population.
Sgt. Scott Wichtendahl, who supervises the Beach's DUI enforcement team, said the high number of arrests stemmed from an emphasis on enforcing traffic laws. Officers on his team receive specialized instruction in addition to the 40 hours of DUI-related training for recruits in Virginia Beach's police academy, he said.
Awareness of the dangers and risks associated with drunken-driving also contributed to the high number of DUI arrests last year, said Walters, who led the department. Last year, nine of 23 fatal crashes in the city were alcohol-related, including the crash that killed teenagers Alison Kunhardt and Tessa Tranchant.
Officers "know the tragic result," Walters said. "They take it more seriously in the academy."
The city's "party atmosphere," particularly along the Oceanfront, attracts military members and Hampton Roads residents and leads many to drink and drive, said Kaye Walsh, state vice chairwoman for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She said more people likely would have been killed last year in alcohol-related crashes if police hadn't made so many arrests.
"It shows law enforcement (officers) are doing their job, they're on the lookout for impaired drivers and they're getting them off the road," she said.
In the 2nd Precinct, which includes the resort area, slightly more suspected drunken drivers were arrested in 2007 than in the other three precincts. Special operations officers, including DUI enforcement team members who are scattered throughout the city, made the most arrests, nearly 800.
And, although most people convicted of driving under the influence learn their lesson, some don't. Like the woman Walters arrested last year on Elson Green Avenue.
Another Virginia Beach police officer arrested her this spring - for DUI.
Shawn Day, (757) 222-5131, shawn.day@pilotonline.com
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If it's a holiday weekend...
...that brought on the inebriation, call AAA, they tow even non-members for free.
Consideration
I would think that a lot of the DUI's are not always about alcohol consumption, but use of illegal substances. Some people try to disguise their drug/dope usage by drinking some alcohol to hide their symptoms like red eyes, speech impairment etc.
Don't like the stats?
Then stay out of our city as it will ease the traffic congestion. Should you drive in our city, obey the signs and adhere to the States vehicle laws. Period.
Many miss the key items of the story. By enforcing traffic laws (not coming to a complete stop, improper lane change, speeding, etc.) is how the VBPD has a higher number of DUI/DWI arrests. They're not violating your 4th ammendment right or harrassing you. You broke the law and are being held accountable for your actions.
Stop with the excuses and lame attempts at shifting the blame to the city. Before you walk into a club or bar you are sober and in full possession of your faculties. You freely choose to get intoxicated. I fail to see where the city should come up with programs or services to support your poor decision...using my tax dollars!
The only people who really
The only people who really care about "profiling" and "entrapment" are breaking the laws. If you have nothing to hide why even care?
Zero Tolerance for DUI
A drunk driver killed someone I loved and nearly killed me. 4 back surgeries later, I am reminded of it every minute of every day.
DUI
This is exactly why I avoid VB, the ease of getting a traffic violation is ridiculous, simply because if VB were to actually do something about it's real crime...they wouldn't be able to claim they're the Utopia they market to be.
I just find it funny that people from VB say the other cities should ramp up their DUI effort. I would say...nah, I'd rather them ramp up their effort on REAL crimes and murders rather wasting their time on traffic tickets and sobriety tests.
Make the Punishment Tougher
VA Beach, in as much the Commonwealth, ought to toughen up the punishment and consequences of being convicted of DUI. The numbers of DUIs that have been documented is only a portion of all DUIs that actually go on. It appears that there is not enough of incentive or deterrent to convince people not to drive a motor vehicle while intoxicated. More in the way of increased fines and stiffened penalties. Everyone knows that DUI is against the law, so ignorance is absolutely no excuse. IF someone is that ignorant, then they should not be priviledged to drive any motor vehicle. I personally feel that current state and local laws regarding DUIs reflect a mood of temperence and forgiveness - of that ignorance!!! Explain that to anyone who's been a victim of a DUI-related crash. Here is my resolution: 1st Offense - Mandatory $2000 fine, revokation of license for 90 days, 30 days in jail if involving property damage, 90 days in jail if involving damage of life, 5 minimum years in jail if involving loss of life. Secondary and beyond offenses shall be exponentially higher. Enforce the punishment, and I would say that should be a solid deterrent.
The Tide will help this . . .
Mass transport from downtown Norfolk (and Portsmouth) to the Oceanfront and back will be great for everyone. Except maybe the transport cleaners who have to wipe up vomit on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Cheers, MGM
Here's a thought. If
Here's a thought. If marijuana was legal, all these crazy drunks could stay home in a foggy haze. I'd much rather do that than going out and spending $100 drinking and possible getting a DUI or worse, killing someone. Stoned people are no threat to society.Peace.
As Usual
It's always the cop's fault.
First, you don't need probable cause to stop a vehicle, you only need reasonable suspicion, it's the law, look it up.
Second, if you come to the oceanfront and park in the city lot and then drink to much, all you have to do is contact an officer and you car will not be towed. PERIOD. You don't have to drive drunk.
It is up to YOU to be responsible for YOUR actions. If you drive somewhere it is up to you to not drink way too much to drive home.
I worked the street at the oceanfront for 12 years. The drunks I arrested were always over .10 blood alcohol content. There were just way too many high BAC drunks to even mess with the .08 drunks.
It's like when I ran radar, I didn't stop people for going 5 mile over the limit. I didn't begin to pull people over until they were going more than 15 mph over the limit. And you know what? I never had to wait long and most drivers were 20mph or more over the limit.
My career and life were ruined by another drunk driver so I know from personal experience what happens when YOU drive drunk.