4 Arrested At Lake Elsinore Checkpoint

LAKE ELSINORE, CA -- Four people were arrested Friday night during a DUI checkpoint in Lake Elsinore. More than 650 vehicles were screened at the checkpoint that place between 8 p.m. Friday and 3 a.m. Saturday at Riverside Drive and Le Harve Street, according to the Lake Elsinore Police Department.

Police said three people were arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, while one person was arrested on other criminal charges. Eleven drivers were cited or arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked. And, 15 citations were issued for other reasons.

The checkpoint was placed at a location with the "greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public," police said.

Studies of California drivers have shown that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol, police said.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

Lake Elsinore Police Department will be conducting another DUI Saturation Patrol on Aug. 8.

Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” free mobile app for Android or iPhone.

--Photo via Shutterstock