DUI Checkpoints Planned In The Valley This Weekend

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Police Department will ramp up drunken-driving enforcement this weekend with a series of DUI checkpoints and extra patrols across the city beginning Thursday night, including in the San Fernando Valley.

The 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 LAPD.

"The Los Angeles Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol," department officials said in a written release. "Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal."

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 LAPD.

The checkpoints and patrols will take place as follows:

Thursday, Sept. 25

• checkpoint from 3 to 11 p.m. at Whittier Boulevard & Fresno Street in Boyle Heights
• saturation patrol from 3 to 11 p.m. in Olympic Division
• saturation patrol from 3 to 11 p.m. in Van Nuys Division (Sepulveda, Sherman Oaks, Valley Glen, Van Nuys, Ventura Business District and West Van Nuys)

Friday, Sept. 26

• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Central Avenue & Gage Avenue in South Los Angeles
• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Roscoe Boulevard & Woodley Place in Van Nuys
• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Manchester Avenue & Figueroa Street in South Los Angeles

Saturday, Sept. 27

• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Vermont Avenue & 2nd Street in Rampart Village
• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Ventura Boulevard & Columbus Avenue in Sherman Oaks
• saturation patrol from 4 p.m. to midnight in Newton Division (southeast of the 10 and 110 freeway interchange)

Sunday, Sept. 28

• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Western Avenue & 39th Street in Exposition Park
• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Santa Monica Boulevard & Bronson Avenue in Hollywood
• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Topanga Canyon Boulevard & Roscoe Boulevard in Canoga Park

Monday, Sept. 29

• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Imperial Highway & Main Street in South Los Angeles
• saturation patrol from 3 to 11 p.m. in Pacific Division (Del Rey, Mar Vista, Oakwood, Palms, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Venice and Westchester)
• saturation patrol from 3 to 11 p.m. in North Hollywood