9 Motorists Snared In Banning DUI Checkpoint

BANNING, CA — Nine drivers were cited over the New Year's weekend during a Banning DUI checkpoint, authorities announced Thursday.

The checkpoint on W. Ramsey St. near the intersection of 12th Street was in operation from 6 p.m. Dec. 30 to 1 a.m. Dec. 31. During that period, eight motorists were caught driving without a valid license and one person was cited for possession of an open alcohol container, according to Banning police.

In total, 607 vehicles were stopped during the operation, police said.

"DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired
driving-related crashes," police said. "The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints [is] to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads."

Funding for the checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.