A DUI suspect is led away in handcuffs after being stopped on Cherokee Lane in Lodi. (Mary Min Vincent/News-Sentinel)

High number of drinking and driving arrests in Lodi raises questions

By Jennifer Pearson Bonnett
News-Sentinel staff writer

Despite actions by the Lodi Police Department to control the problem, more Lodians appear to be drinking and driving — and getting caught.

Nationally, the number of fatal accidents is up for the first time in years.

Statewide, the California Highway Patrol reports that driving under the influence of alcohol is still the greatest single cause of traffic fatalities. Last year, 33 percent of the 3,331 fatal collisions on California roads involved alcohol.

DUI accidents in Lodi Click to view larger image

Although Lodi did not have any DUI-related fatalities this year, arrests are at an all-time high.

“We were wondering why we were so high in Lodi,” Police Lt. J.P. Badel said. “When we saw the state numbers, it made us feel better, but we knew we had to do more.”

Numbers suggest, and some say, Lodi has a problem. Arrests in Lodi are higher than other cities of similar size.

It’s not just about getting caught, though. Driving under the influence is about responsibility, blood-alcohol level and keeping potentially dangerous people off the roadways and safer for non-drinkers, police say.

The number of under-the-influence drivers increases each time the police set up a checkpoint.

Years ago, they used to net one or two DUI arrests and consider their efforts successful. Now the numbers are climbing to eight, 10, 12. In November, it was a record 15.

That leads to a series of questions: Do the high numbers have anything to do with Lodi being located in wine country? Are we more accepting of drinking and driving, or are the city’s police officers just more vigilant in enforcement?

With the holiday season, company parties and winter driving conditions upon us, it is especially important to remember the consequences of driving under the influence, police say. Getting behind the wheel with slower motor skills and reduced response times can make for a deadly — and potentially costly — decision.

Drinking and driving has always been an issue, but in the last 20 years it became a focus with the emergence of groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Lodi officers also stepped up their enforcement, pulling out cones to set up checkpoints and using breath analyzers for testing blood-alcohol levels.

In April, the police department launched a crackdown on DUI violators. With the help of a state grant, officers are now holding checkpoints at unannounced locations every first Saturday of the month. Special DUI enforcement units are out every Friday and Saturday.

In the first seven months, ending in November, Lodi police have arrested 269 people for driving under the influence of alcohol.

In that time period, DUI-related collisions have decreased, Badel said. “Our main goal is to make the roadways safer, not to see how many we can arrest,” he said.

Checkpoints aside, Lodi, too, has seen an increase in the number of drivers cited for driving under the influence.

In 1997, there were 433. That jumped to 535 in 1998, down to 466 the following year and back up to 524 last year.

When compared to other cities with populations between 50,000 and 100,000, Lodi was ranked by the state department of traffic safety sixth for injury and fatal accidents involving alcohol, according to a 1999 report.

Both Napa and Petaluma in Sonoma County, cities of comparable size and an industry for wine, are also ranked high when it comes to alcohol-related accidents, according to the 1999 state report. Napa was No. 8 out of 88 cities, while Petaluma was No. 5, directly above Lodi.

Of the 93 people arrested on nights the Lodi department held checkpoints, more than 50 percent were out-of-town residents. Of those 54, 21 were Stockton residents, 10 lived in Galt and four in Sacramento. Their average blood alcohol content level was .13.

People who witness the checkpoints are grateful the department is staging them, Lodi Police Chief Jerry Adams said.

“The overwhelming thing is people are thanking us for being out there,” he said. “And, people’s awareness is keeping people off the road when they know there’s a checkpoint.”

Between 1995 and 1999, there were 152 DUI-related fatalities in all of San Joaquin County, according to statistics compiled by the state Office of Traffic Safety. Although those figures dipped in 1997, they have steadily gone up since.

State figures compiled during three-day weekends have also seen a jump.

Fatalities on the last Memorial Day weekend nearly doubled, while Labor Day weekend accident rates were also up this year from 2000.

In fact, it was the deadliest year on California highways since 1993.

While both Adams and Badel said they have no idea why Lodi’s DUI rates are higher than other cities, some have to wonder if a city’s industry has anything to do with it.

“We’re not saying ‘don’t enjoy the wine industry,’ ” Badel said. “Just that ‘when you’re done, don’t get in a car and drive.’ ”

Lodi is one of the few California destinations known for its wine. The alcoholic beverage’s name is the main focus of the city’s visitor center, a location where it is offered for tasting. There and more than 10 other tasting spots in the area.

Phillips Farms, located on Highway 12 just outside city limits, is one of the more popular places.

But Dave Phillips, one of the winery’s owners, said his drink of choice has little impact on DUI rates. To become intoxicated from wine tasting, for example, he estimates a person would have to have 50 to 60 tastes. Plus, tasters often sip wine while eating.

“As an industry, we don’t want people to be intoxicated and driving,” Phillips said. “We find, though, that the wine drinkers seem to appreciate the drink more. And we all know wine should only be enjoyed in moderation.”

Ron Anderson, owner of the Casablanca bar in downtown Lodi, said people are becoming more responsible drinkers.

“They’re also more cautious of the ramifications of drinking and driving. I see a lot more people being appointed designated drivers.”

He offers non-alcoholic beverages free to designated drivers.

But Anderson, who used to own the Legends bar across Elm Street, has seen changes in the bar industry, including a drop-off in patrons.

Adams, too, said drinking under the influence was worse 20 years ago when he remembers people taking a citation in stride.

“I think it’s a societal thing. You go through ebbs and flows. For some reason now, people are drinking and getting behind the wheel,” he said.

Anderson sees the people driving drunk are usually the younger ones who have yet to be cited for driving under the influence.

“It’s just too expensive to get caught drinking and driving, but the new generation will try it until they do (get caught),” he said.

Phillips is also seeing more awareness. Many tasters bring their own designated drivers who receive complimentary non-alcohol drinks at Phillips. Others are bringing limousines.

“And we don’t serve people if they appear intoxicated. That’s how all the tasting rooms are,” Phillips said. “As a resident, though, I have been surprised that the numbers are so high. But the arrests seem to be when the wineries aren’t open.”

Adams is looking forward to next year when he expects the department can release news that all figures have dropped.

“When you do more enforcement, you can usually drive some of those figures down,” he said. “The amount of DUI arrests we’re getting, though, is indicative that there is a problem. We just hope we can change people who drink to excess, then go out and drive.”

Contents

» High number of drinking and driving arrests in Lodi raises questions
» The .08 debate: Does low standard net social drinkers?
» Students tell stories of drinking at parties, rural areas
» Family copes with tragedy of drinking and driving
» Embarrassment, fines just the start when getting a DUI
» Tips on how to avoid a DUI charge, or to stop drinking altogether