DUI Checkpoint Planned Friday Night

BERKELEY, CA — The Berkeley Police Department will hold a DUI/Driver License Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday evening.

The location is Ashby Avenue near San Pablo Avenue.

According to the police department, the location was selected because of data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes in that area.

"Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk," Sergeant Dave Harston said. "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety."

While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal in California, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

The police department reminds drivers that first-time DUI charges typically results in an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

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