DUI Checkpoint Planned Friday In Escondido

ESCONDIDO, CA — A DUI checkpoint is scheduled Friday night in Escondido.

The checkpoint is slated from 6 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location in the city, according to the Escondido Police Department. During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes, according to the department. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

"Traffic safety is a high priority in the city of Escondido," Interim Chief of Police Ryan Banks said. "Any preventative and deterrent measures which reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety."

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

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