Why does the police department release the location of DUI checkpoints before the fact? Don’t people just avoid those locations?

You’d think drunk drivers would avoid the DUI checkpoint if they knew about it ahead of time. However, the police don’t release the exact location of a checkpoint until after the fact.

Beforehand, they give notice that they’re planning one, and they may give a general location, according to Register crime reporter Marsha Dorgan and Napa Police Sgt. Tom Pieper.

Pieper said the goal of the checkpoints is not necessarily to bag drivers who are, um, in the bag. The checkpoints help keep the potential DUI driver off the road, to keep the person from getting into trouble, or worse, an accident.

“We’d rather keep (drunk drivers) off the road than make an arrest,” Pieper said. The police want to encourage tipplers to find another way home from the party or bar.

So before the checkpoint, they give Napans a head’s up that the checkpoint will likely be in an area where there have been DUI-related accidents or arrests.

After the fact, the police release the location of the checkpoint and the results.

Pieper pointed out that the police also are checking that drivers have valid licenses. This part of the check is most productive. While checkpoints don’t result in a lot of DUI arrests, a recent checkpoint netted 25 citations to drivers with suspended licenses or no license at all.

These drivers are a problem, Pieper said, because they either haven’t taken the driving test — which means they probably haven’t studied the rules of the road — or they have lost their license due to a DUI, tickets, unsafe driving or some other reason. Also, many of these drivers aren’t insured, so if they cause an accident, they can’t pay for the damage. This makes them a higher risk for hit-and-runs, too, Pieper said.

He added that the police have started announcing the location of speed and red light enforcement stops, so people will be reminded to drive safely there — and hopefully everywhere.

To keep yourself and others safe on the road, think ahead. Elect a friend to be the designated driver, make arrangements with someone to pick you up after partying, or call a cab. Napa isn’t New York City; no one will push you out of the way to get in.

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Glad You Asked attempts to answer readers’ questions. Buzzing with questions? Send them to me at dmontanez@napanews.com or call 256-2224 for some sobering information.

(Former “Glad You Asked” columnist Jill Decker contributed to this article.)