Patch.com reports the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office will conduct DUI checkpoints throughout the Coachella Valley over the Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
County officials announced the checkpoints on Monday and reminded the public not to get behind the wheel if they have consumed alcohol, marijuana, or other medications that could cause them to be cited for impairment.
In a statement, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said that the DUI checkpoints are scheduled at undisclosed locations from 6:00 p.m. on Friday to 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 6.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sgt. Don Olson with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office told reporters. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”
The locations for DUI checkpoints are chosen based on data compiled from previous incidents involving DUI arrests or incidents. The chief focus of the checkpoints is to get impaired drivers off our streets and highways and ensure public safety.
In addition to having their driving privileges suspended for a period of one year, those who choose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated face approximately $13,500 in fines and penalties on average.
Funding for this and other DUI checkpoints conducted by law enforcement agencies across the state comes from grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA).
