DUI Checkpoint Scheduled In La Quinta This Weekend

LA QUINTA, CA — The Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced it will hold a DUI checkpoint starting Friday night in La Quinta.

The operation is slated to begin at 5 p.m. and will wrap up by 3 a.m. Saturday, according to the agency.

The exact location was not disclosed.

"DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints [is] to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road," the sheriff's department reported.

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Deputy Robert Wiggs said. "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”

In addition to drivers under the influence of alcohol, during the checkpoint deputies will be looking for motorists impaired by drugs and/or medications.

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 agency.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the sheriff's department said.