National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Chronic Pot Smokers Beware: THC Remains in System For Weeks!

According to a study just released by the American Association of Clinical Chemistry, chronic pot smokers can test positive for residual levels of THC in blood for up to several weeks after abstaining from smoking marijuana. The study is based on findings from 30 daily pot smokers who smoked ten joi ... More >>

[UPDATED with C.M. Results:] Lake Forest and Costa Mesa Held Sobriety Checkpoints Friday Night

See the update at the end of this post with the checkpoint results released by Costa Mesa cops.ORIGINAL POST, FEB. 15, 3 P.M.: The Orange County Sheriff's Department is conducting a sobriety checkpoint in Lake Forest starting at 6 tonight, while Costa Mesa kicks in with its own two hours later.Neith ... More >>

[UPDATED with Arrest Totals:] Sheriff Audibles Prevent Defense for Super Bowl

See the update at the end of this post with arrest totals from Sunday's Super Bowl DUI crackdown.ORIGINAL POST, FEB. 1, 5:14 P.M.: Behold Super Bowl Sunday: the pageantry, the competition, the entertainment, the parties, the law enforcement officers following around weave-y drivers in a combined eff ... More >>

[UPDATED with New Arrest Totals:] Tis the Season to be Boozy and Patrolled and Stopped

ORIGINAL POST, DEC. 21, 8:56 A.M.: The Costa Mesa and Garden Grove police departments are conducting DUI checkpoints tonight, while one goes up in Huntington Beach Saturday night. None of the agencies is revealing the location of the mandatory motorist stops aimed at removing impaired and unlicensed ... More >>

Laguna Niguel and Costa Mesa DUI Checkpoints Tonight, Garden Grove on Saturday Night

Anyone taking that weird Laguna Niguel to Costa Mesa route this evening, with an overnight stop before heading on to Garden Grove Saturday night, will want to take extra care as three law enforcement agencies are running sobriety checkpoints in those towns those nights. Tonight's locations are undis ... More >>

[UPDATED with Stats, Reader Right About 'Minority' Location:] DUI Checkpoint in Costa Mesa Monday Night

See the update at the end of this post about a commenter to our original post being correct about the checkpoint location being in a minority neighborhood and stats from the police department.ORIGINAL POST, NOV. 5, 6:09 A.M.: Sobriety checkpoints: they're not just for weekends and holidays any more. ... More >>

Costa Mesa Holds Sobriety Checkpoint Tonight ... Somewhere

The Costa Mesa Police Department says its running a sobriety checkpoint but--surprise, surprise--as is norm for that particular cop shop, they aren't saying where it will be.So maybe drive around until you find it?They are saying when it will be . . .

1 Death and 843 Arrests During Orange County Labor Day DUI Enforcement Period

Over an 18-day period culminating in Labor Day, 843 people were arrested for driving under the influence, according to Orange County's "Avoid the 38" sobriety task force.That compares with 856 DUI arrests over the same period last year.One person died in a DUI-related crash over the 18 days, compare ... More >>

Brea and San Juan Capistrano DUI Checkpoints Tonight, Buena Park's is Saturday Night

Labor Day weekend has creeped up, and so has the countywide Labor Day weekend enforcement against boozing drivers on the road.Besides saturation patrols in Orange County's four corners--are there four?--Brea and San Juan Capistrano have DUI checkpoints tonight and Buena Park conducts another Saturda ... More >>

[UPDATED with Adenhart Crash Victim's Two Cents:] Fullerton Poised to End Sobriety Checkpoints as Labor Day Ops Continue

See the update at the end of this post about the Mother's Against Drunk Driving push back and a victim of the Fullerton crash that killed Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart addressing the council. ORIGINAL POST, AUG. 27, 3:29 P.M.: From 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17 through midnight Friday, Aug. 24, ... More >>

[UPDATED with Villa Park Checkpoint, Results:] As Bombs Burst in Air on the Fourth, Smokies on the Ground Hunt for Drunk Drivers

See end of post for details on Fourth of July holiday DUI arrests, injuries and deaths so far, and a new checkpoint announced in Villa Park.ORIGINAL POST, JULY 3, 9:38 A.M.: Orange County law enforcement has big plans for the Fourth of July as it is anticipated fireworks won't be the only thing lit. ... More >>

Sobriety Stop Tonight in Buena Park, Saturday in Garden Grove; Costa Mesa Eyes Motorcycles

There's mucho police enforcement going on along Orange County streets, starting tonight with a DUI/drivers license checkpoint in the 8000 block of La Palma Avenue in Buena Park from 7 p.m. through 2 a.m. Saturday. The Garden Grove Police Department holds its own on an undisclosed stretch of that cit ... More >>

[UPDATED with Stats:] Costa Mesa Sobriety Checkpoint Saturday; Garden Grove Reveals Stop Stats and Plans

UPDATE, APRIL 27, 11:58 A.M.: If you believe sobriety checkpoints cost cities too much for the inconvenience and scant arrests they generate, the Costa Mesa Police Department counters with this: you're wrong.Funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway ... More >>

Buena Park Holds Checkpoint and the Sheriff Has DUI Patrols in South County Tonight

​Buena Park holds a sobriety checkpoint tonight, while roving patrol for drunken drivers will be conducted in Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo.The checkpoint runs from 7 p.m. through 2 a.m. Saturday in the 8000 block of La Palma Avenue.

Irvine Has Sobriety Checkpoint Tonight While Other Agencies Conduct Saturation Patrols

​The Irvine Police Department conducts a sobriety checkpoint from 8 tonight to 1 a.m. Saturday at Culver Drive and Farwell.That's not the only cop show going extra hard at impaired drivers, as the "Avoid the 38" campaign previously announced saturation patrols tonight in Tustin, Anaheim, Laguna Be ... More >>

[UPDATED with Results:] Irvine Holds DUI Checkpoint Close to UCI

​UPDATED, MAY 9, 8:39 A.M.: Besides reporting no significant traffic delays, the Irvine Police Department released the following statistics from Friday night's sobriety checkpoint at Campus Drive and Bridge Road: Vehicles stopped: 545Sobriety tests: 9DUI arrests: 2Citations issued: 10

Costa Mesa Holds Back-to-Back DUI Checkpoints

​The Costa Mesa Police Department hopes one good sobriety checkpoint deserves another.From 6 tonight to midnight Thursday, officers will stop vehicles in the 2300 block of Placentia Avenue and check to ensure drivers are licensed and not under the influence of something.Another operation runs from ... More >>

Buena Park Police Hold DUI Checkpoint on Beach Blvd. Tonight, Anaheim On Deck for Saturday

​The Buena Park Police Department Traffic Unit conducts a DUI/driver's license checkpoint in front of City Hall at 6650 Beach Boulevard from 7 p.m. tonight until 3 a.m. Saturday.Anaheim police follow up with a checkpoint operation of their own farther up Beach, at the Ball Road intersection, from ... More >>

Look for Weekend DUI Patrols, Sobriety Checkpoints and Persian New Year Traffic Throughout OC

​It's beginning to look a lot like a DUI enforcement weekend, as roving patrols and at least two sobriety checkpoints are scheduled.Meanwhile, Irvine police are warning drivers to be extra cautious around the weekend Persian New Year celebrations at Mason Park.But, before we get to the mean street ... More >>

Saturday Night DUI Checkpoints in Santa Ana and Costa Mesa

​I know what you're thinking: to avoid Santa Ana's Saturday night DUI checkpoint, you'll avoid your usual Arts District watering holes and get your booze on in neighboring Costa Mesa.Sorry to harsh your inebriation, Sir-Drink-Alot, but Goat Hill cops are also manning a sobriety stop Saturday night ... More >>

[UPDATED] Braking News! Government Report Clears Toyota Software as Cause of Sudden-Acceleration Problems

​UPDATE, FEB. 24, 12:47 P.M.: In my mailbox yesterday was a recall notice from Toyota for my wife's Highlander.Today I learned she is not alone: Having already recalled nearly 8 million of its models in the U.S., Toyota announced it is calling back another 2.17 million to correct brake and acceler ... More >>

Don't Drink and Drive--Especially Through Anaheim and Garden Grove DUI Checkpoints Saturday Night

​If you're thinking of snaking through Garden Grove to avoid Anaheim's DUI checkpoint Saturday night (or vice versa) think again: Police from both towns will be stopping cars in search of unlicensed drivers and drunks behind the wheel.First up is Anaheim, at 100 E. Lincoln Ave. between the hours o ... More >>

[UPDATED:] Tustin, Cypress, La Habra, Costa Mesa, Dana Point and Garden Grove Hold DUI Checkpoints Tonight, a Bunch More Follow Through the Holidays

​Update, December 17, 2:46 p.m.: Irvine Police announce a DUI checkpoint for Saturday night (weather permitting). Details on next page.Update, December 17, 12:11 p.m.: Two more DUI checkpoints will be held tonight, in Seal Beach and Huntington Beach.The Seal Beach operation runs from 6 tonight ... More >>

Long Beach Cops Hold DUI Checkpoint Tonight, Costa Mesa Kicks Off the First of 2 This Month on Saturday

​There will be a DUI checkpoint from 6 tonight to 2 a.m. Saturday within Long Beach's South Patrol Division, which includes Anaheim Street to the ocean and from Cherry Avenue to the western edge of the city.Costa Mesa holds the first of two DUI checkpoints this month from 7 p.m. Saturday to 1 a. ... More >>

Garden Grove Police Hold DUI Checkpoint Tonight, With More on the Way

​The first of four DUI/drivers license checkpoints conducted by the Garden Grove Police Department is tonight at 13201 Magnolia St.The operation begins at 9 p.m. and continues until 3 a.m. Saturday.The goal, says the department, is to reduce the number of people killed and injured in alcohol-invol ... More >>

Toyota Denies Report It Secretly Bought Back Cars That Accelerated Unintentionally

​Toyota has issued a statement denying the automaker was able to duplicate customer complaints about sudden acceleration and that it secretly repurchased problem vehicles from owners without notifying the government.Torrance-based Toyota USA blames attorneys for people suing Toyota for spreading t ... More >>

[CORRECTED:] Costa Mesa Police Out to De-Drunk Harbor & Gisler Tonight, Victoria & American Monday

​CORRECTION: Goddamn Mayan calendar! Uh, the first of two DUI/Drivers License checkpoints over the next four days will be held from 6 to 11 tonight--as in TONIGHT, Sept. 16.The boys and girls in blue will be at Harbor Boulevard and--jeebus chrysanthemum--Gisler Avenue!?! That be waaaaay too close ... More >>

Costa Mesa Spreads Sobriety Checkpoint Magic to a Weeknight (Tonight!)

​Sobriety checkpoints: They aren't just for weekends anymore.That's right, rummies, Costa Mesa Police have chosen tonight to hold a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint.Find out the times and intersection to avoid after the jump . . .

Cypress Stop Gets in on OC DUI Action Tonight

​The Cypress Police Department conducts a DUI and driver's license checkpoint from 8 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday.Perhaps feeling a bit saucy, the cop shop isn't disclosing the location of that checkpoint, which could feature sights like this on the right if boozy drivers are ordered out of thei ... More >>

Johnny Law's End-of-Summer Orange County Anti-DUI Ops Run Tonight Through Sept. 5

​While you're marking summer's passing with barbecues, Frisbee golf and Brazilian waxes, Orange County law enforcement rings in the traditional Labor Day weekend end of the season with massive anti-DUI operations.And those operations start--gulp--tonight.

Isaac Robert Longo, the Face of Marijuana Manslaughter?

​Don't be surprised if Isaac Robert Longo becomes a poster child for the evils of driving while high by forces girding to defeat marijuana legalization in California this November.After all, the 33-year-old Placentia man smoked pot before causing a five-car pileup on the 55 freeway in November 200 ... More >>

Just When You Thought the Streets Were Free of DUI Checkpoints ...

​In case you saw our warning about all the DUI checkpoints and "saturation" patrols that smothered Orange County over the Fourth of July weekend and thought to yourself, "I'll just wait a weekend to get my drink on and drive," think again, Tipsy.The Fullerton and Garden Grove police departments ar ... More >>

[UPDATED:] DUI Checkpoint in San Clemente Tonight, Surf City Tomorrow

UPDATED: Huntington Beach police hold a sobriety checkpoint Saturday night (details below) . . . Orange County DUI AttorneySteady​The Orange County Sheriff's Department conducts a DUI/driver's license checkpoint in San Clemente from 6 tonight until 2 a.m. Saturday.

Sting Nets Those Not Allowed to Drive Driving Away From Court

​Three vehicles were impounded, three people were cited for driving with suspended or revoked licenses and one unlicensed driver was cited in a police sting outside Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach Monday.Between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., undercover Costa Mesa police officers followed 16 offenders ... More >>

Final Tally in For Holiday DUI Checkpoints

​In the weeks leading up to and including New Year's Day, Navel Gazing carried several posts warning of DUI checkpoints set up all over Orange County. The multi-agency 2009 Winter Holiday Mobilization operation, which was made possible through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety a ... More >>

2009 Postseason Throwdown: Think and Drive

DUI-OrangeCounty.comWhat pen, officer?​As this keyboard is being drooled over, the Angels have taken a 4-0 lead over the Yankees in the first inning of Game 5 of the ALCS. ​ If the lead held by the time you read this, that means there will be no need to drown season-ending sorrows and go drivin ... More >>

Prius Drivers Have Discovered the Hybrid Car Can Take Them On an Unexpected Adventure

Cognitive Overload as a Motorsport

There's good news if you're one of those people infuriated by the sight of some idiot behind the steering wheel with a cell phone pressed to his head talking and not paying attention while driving-- that idiot's days are numbered. Come Summer 2008, that idiot will be replace by the new and improved ... More >>

Superman Pajamas

How SmartWear Technologies hopes to profit from paranoia

Diary of a mad county