Two DUI Arrests Reported from Spring Street Checkpoint on Friday Night; 13 Cars Seized

News outlets gave fair warning.  Dozens didn't get the memo.

Friday night's DUI and driver's license checkpoints on the La Mesa-Spring Valley border netted two arrests for driving under the influence and led to 13 vehicles being impounded, according to a news release from the La Mesa Police Department.

Sgt. Brian Stoney said the checkpoint operated for 8 hours in the 4100 block of Spring Street near Campo Road under the Route 125 and 94 freeway overpasses. 

"These checkpoints are another reminder from the La Mesa Police Department that driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a license will not be tolerated," Stoney said. 

In all, the combined north and southbound checkpoints saw 2,899 vehicles. Some 64 were given a secondary inspection, police said, and 21 drivers were issued citations for Vehicle Code violations.

La Mesa police gave these final numbers from the northbound inspections:

• 719 vehicles traveled through the checkpoint.
• 30 drivers were taken into the secondary inspection area.
• 7 of those drivers were further evaluated for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• 1 driver was arrested on DUI charge.
• 11 citations were issued for Vehicle Code violations.
• 3 vehicles were impounded for driver's license violations.

The San Diego Sheriff's Department tallied these numbers for the southbound checks:

• 2180 vehicles traveled through the checkpoint.
• 34 drivers were taken into the secondary inspection area.
• 4 of those drivers were further evaluated for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• 1 driver was arrested on DUI charge.
• 2 drivers were arrested for possession of marijuana.
• 1 driver was arrested for possession of ecstasy.
• 1 stolen vehicle was recovered.
• 10 citations were issued for Vehicle Code violations.
• 10 vehicles were impounded for driver's license violations

La Mesa police were  assisted by officers from the San Diego Sheriff's Department, San Diego Probation Department, state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and police from Chula Vista, Escondido, Coronado and National City.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center at University of California Berkeley.

For more information on local and statewide Avoid DUI Task Force Campaign Enforcement Schedules and Daily DUI arrest/fatality figures, visit  www.californiaavoid.org.  The program is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, which reminds people to call 911 if drunken driving is seen.