My News LA reports that the Desert Hot Springs Police Department announced yesterday that it will be conducting a DUI checkpoint on Friday, January 26.
According to the statement released by a spokesperson for the law enforcement agency, officers will be screening motorists from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Saturday, January 27 at an undisclosed location.
Police officials say that the location will be selected based on data on past incidents of impaired driving crashes and arrests.
“Impaired drivers put others at significant risk,” Desert Hot Springs Police Chief Jim Henson told reporters. “Any prevention measures that can reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves public safety.”
Chief Henson also stated that a driver would be considered DUI if they were under the influence of marijuana, some prescription medications, and even some over-the-counter drugs that may also impair the ability to drive safely.
In the state of California, even a first-time DUI arrest can cost $13,500 in fines and penalties and result in a one-year suspension of a driver’s license.
Funds to conduct the checkpoint are provided through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
