SAN DIEGO—
San Diego has the highest percentage of drivers with lcohol-related driving violations among the nation's 20 largest cities, according to a study released Monday.According to Insurance.com, San Diego ranks top of the list with most DUI convictions. San Jose followed San Diego, Los Angeles ranked seventh and San Francisco, eighth. The data gathered came from people applying for new insurance policies.
"I'm not surprised at all," said Cary Wilkins, a San Diego resident.
Between October 2009 and August 2010, San Diego Police Department says there were around 4400 DUI arrests. Law enforcement officials say the reason why San Diego tops the list is not necessarily because there are more drunk drivers on the road but rather, more cops enforcing the law.
Last year San Diego Police Department held 20 DUI check points and 20 saturation patrols. Officers come in on their days off, are paid overtime, their main objective is to look for those driving under the influence The program is funded with grant money
Chula Vista has a similar program.
"I think law enforcement in San Diego County reflects what the community wants," said spokesperson Bernard Gonzales of the Chula Vista Police Department. "Really it's about enforcement and education. we want people to know, we are out there and hopefully it will lead to people changing their behavior."
Here is the ranking of the cities studied. Boston was excluded due to lack of available data.
1) San Diego
2) San Jose
3) Charlotte, N.C.
4) Phoenix
5) Columbus, Ohio
6) Indianapolis
7) Los Angeles
8) San Francisco
9) Austin, Texas
10) Jacksonville, Fla.
11) San Antonio
12) Dallas
13) Houston
14) Fort Worth, Texas
15) Memphis, Tenn.
16) Philadelphia
17) New York
18) Baltimore
19) Chicago
20) Detroit
