Local residents who are familiar with the neighborhoods of Oakland usually know which streets may be best to avoid at certain times of the day. However, drunk driving arrests can happen anywhere this is a road. DUI traffic stops do happen more often at certain times of the day and on certain days of the week. Do they happen more often in certain areas of Oakland? 

Wherever you get pulled over in Oakland or Alameda County, there is a risk of getting arrested for drunk driving, even if you are not over the limit. The police may put you under arrest for driving under the influence even if you only had one beer or one glass of wine. To avoid losing your driver's license and getting a criminal record, contact an experienced Oakland DUI defense lawyer who can explain your rights and legal defense options.

Oakland Crime Maps and DUI Arrests

The Oakland Crime Incident Data Reports page has a lot of information about crime statistics in Oakland. You can search for all sorts of information for local police reports, including searching by location, type of crime, and time frame for police reports. For the past 180 days, using Oakland's crime mapping, there are certain hotspots where drunk driving arrest reports may be more common. Here are some of the findings: 

DUI Arrests Near Chinatown and Jack London Square

Chinatown is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Oakland. The many Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese restaurants and shops attract people from all over, including those looking for a late-night meal after having drinks with friends or co-workers. The areas right around the freeway, like 7th Street, have had a number of DUI arrests (right by the Oakland Courthouse). In the Jack London Square area, just on the other side of the Nimitz Freeway, the parallel streets also see a few DUI arrests.

East Peralta and Rancho San Antonio DUI Traffic Stops

In the areas of East Peralta (or East Lake) to Rancho San Antonio, the busy corridors of 8th Street and 12 Street have a number of incident reports for DUI arrests. These streets get a lot of through traffic from drivers heading to and from downtown. It is also a way for drivers to take surface streets and avoid I-880. Many drivers who have had a few drinks prefer to take surface streets instead of the freeway, hoping the lower speeds and lesser traffic can help them avoid getting pulled over. 

West Oakland Is Quiet for DUI Arrests

West Oakland has been a quiet spot for driving under the influence arrests over the past 6 months with only a couple of DUI arrests in the whole area, including Oak Center, Ralph Bunche, McClymonds, South Prescott, and Village Bottoms. West Oakland does have some of the best access to public transportation in the area, which might be one factor why residents are not getting pulled over while impaired. 

Keys to Avoiding a DUI 

Just because these areas are some hot spots for DUI arrests does not mean you won't get pulled over in other areas. You can be stopped for a traffic violation anywhere on Oakland's roads and if the officer suspects you've been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you can end up with an arrest. 

If you are arrested for a DUI, you can still challenge the charges to avoid a criminal conviction. A conviction for a first-time DUI can result in possible jail time, fines, loss of your license, and require you to install an ignition interlock device (IID) and go through DUI school. There are legal defense strategies that can help you avoid a conviction, including a plea bargain, diversion programs, and taking your case to trial. 

East Bay attorney Lynn Gorelick has more than 39 years of DUI defense experience and understands the consequences for drivers after an arrest for driving under the influence. Representing individuals in Contra Costa and Alameda County, Lynn Gorelick is familiar with the local DUI defense laws, local officers, and the prosecutors involved. Contact East Bay DUI lawyer Lynn Gorelick today.