The Region : Drunk Checkpoint Nets 85

Eighty-five people were booked for investigation of drunk driving in the first major trial of a sobriety checkpoint system that allows for immediate booking and release of those arrested, Los Angeles police said. A checkpoint on Van Nuys Boulevard at O’Melveny Street in Pacoima was set up to test the system, which includes the use of on-site chemical testing machines to speed the processing of those arrested, Sgt. Dennis Zine said. Police said 1,385 vehicles passed through the checkpoint between 9:35 p.m. Friday and 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Field sobriety tests were given to 105 of the drivers. The 85 arrests were not a record number for a night, however. On New Year’s Eve, a task force of 99 officers made 103 drunk-driving arrests in the San Fernando Valley.