DUI Checkpoint Scheduled In Rancho Mirage

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA — A DUI checkpoint is scheduled this weekend in Rancho Mirage.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is staffing the operation that will take place at an undisclosed location in the city from 6 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday.

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

Impaired driving can be the result of alcohol, narcotics, prescriptions, and/or over-the-counter medications.

"Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk," Sgt. Don Olson said. "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety."

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 sheriff's department.

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