51 CITATIONS ISSUED AT 3-HOUR CHECKPOINT.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - More than 50 motorists were cited for various traffic violations Thursday during a Lancaster sheriff's station checkpoint to cite drunk or unlicensed drivers.

Of the 51 motorists cited, 26 had their vehicles impounded while the rest received a citation to appear in court. Two drivers were given field sobriety tests that resulted in a 52-year-old Lancaster resident being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, with a blood alcohol level of .18.

``So many of our crashes are (caused by) unlicensed drivers and if they crash, they're not going to stick around because they know they'll go to jail,'' said Lancaster station traffic Sgt. Gus Risinger. ``The public has the right to feel safe on the road and one way to do that is to take the unlicensed or impaired driver off the road.''

More than 1,300 vehicles passed through the checkpoint as it operated between about 11:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Avenue I near the Antelope Valley Freeway.

Twenty-six people were cited for license violations and 25 for registration, insurance, or seat-belt violations.

``If people realize that there may be a checkpoint, then maybe that will keep them home if they have no (driver's license) or have the smell of alcohol on their breath,'' Risinger said.

Officials say they receive more positive responses than they do negative comments about the delay.

``It's a little inconvenient but I guess it does make the streets safer,'' said motorist Jean Morrell of Santa Clarita, who was in Lancaster for a meeting. ``I'd rather sit through this than get hit by some (motorist) driving drunk.''

A recent Supreme Court ruling says traffic officials are required to allow motorists the option of detouring before they reach a checkpoint. A patrol car, however, is on hand to follow drivers they feel may be avoiding the checkpoint because they are unlicensed or intoxicated.

Deputies on their way to assist with Wednesday's checkpoint spotted a vehicle with expired license tags driving on the opposite side of the street. The deputies stopped the car and ultimately had it impounded and towed.

The driver was sent walking with bags of clothing.

Impounded vehicles can be held for 30 days while officials complete their investigations.

``We have people that we stop who have lived here for 20 years and never had a driver's license,'' Risinger said. ``We ask them why they don't have one and the typical response is because I can't pass the test. Those are the people that cause a lot of the crashes out here and then take off.''

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More than 1,300 vehicles passed through the sheriff's deputies' checkpoint on Thursday.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer