Bakersfield is experiencing a troubling increase in DUI-related arrests and fatal crashes, prompting local authorities to intensify their efforts to combat the issue.<\/p>\n
Sgt. Rex Davenport of the Bakersfield Police Department Traffic Division shared alarming statistics with the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, revealing that DUI arrests have surged nearly 50% compared to last year. In 2023, there were 845 DUI arrests, while 2024 saw 625 arrests. So far this year, 688 arrests have been made.<\/p>\n
Deadly DUI-related crashes have also risen, with 12 incidents reported this year, compared to eight last year. Sgt. Davenport, whose brother Russ was killed in a car accident in 1997, emphasized the personal impact of such tragedies.<\/p>\n
“I don\u2019t want anybody else to get a phone call at 5 o\u2019clock in the morning,” he said. “Even if it\u2019s not drunk driving. Distracted driving, street racing, it doesn\u2019t matter. Slow down.”<\/p>\n
To address the issue, DUI saturation patrols are planned this month, though staffing them can be costly, around $25,000. The department’s $400,000 traffic safety grant is crucial for these efforts.<\/p>\n
“Lately it\u2019s been all over town,” Davenport said. “But when it does tend to focus areas, we saturate that area.”<\/p>\n
Local attorneys, including Chris Hagan from Chain, Cohn, Clark, argue that California’s current DUI laws are insufficient.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m convinced that the stats are so high because the laws that we have currently in California aren\u2019t strict enough,” Hagan said. “The punishments aren\u2019t severe enough. People are getting a slap on the wrist right now when they are convicted of a DUI.”<\/p>\n