Fleeing Motorcylist Arrested, 37 Cited During Menifee DUI Patrols

MENIFEE, CA — A motorcyclist who attempted to flee from deputies during a scheduled DUI saturation on Friday was arrested. Meanwhile, 37 motorists were issued citations, authorities said.

The Menifee Police Department deployed a two-officer DUI enforcement team to scan for drunk and drug-impaired drivers on Friday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Plus, deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department also sent personnel to help with the operation.

Several drivers were stopped on suspicion of violating various vehicle codes. Thirty-seven of those drivers were cited, police said. During the operation, a motorcyclist who was not named was arrested for trying to escape a deputy.

The department says it will continue initiatives like this one throughout the year to remove dangerous drivers from the road.

“Driving under the influence is dangerous, illegal and puts every person driving on the roads at risk. Drivers
need to understand the dangers of driving impaired,” Traffic Sergeant Dan Beare said. “We are out there and
will not hesitate to stop drivers who drive impaired.”

Police warn that it isn't just alcohol that can impair driving. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. And while recreational marijuana is legal, driving under the influence of it is not.

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

Funding for this checkpoint comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.