DUI Checkpoint Planned In Long Beach On Friday

LONG BEACH, CA — The Long Beach Police Department will ramp up drunken-driving enforcement on Friday with a DUI checkpoint.

The checkpoint will be held from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an unspecified location in the LBPD's North Division, which includes the portion of the city northwest of the Long Beach Airport.

Officer will be looking for drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs — which includes cannabis, some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs that could impair driving, police said.

"Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk," LBPD Commander Jeremy Boshnack said. "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety."

DUI checkpoint locations target areas with a record of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests. Police will also be checking to ensure drivers are properly licensed, according to the LBPD

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