Multiple DUI Checkpoints Planned Across San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — Police are conducting multiple DUI checkpoint this week across San Diego County.

The San Diego Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint Thursday night in San Diego. The checkpoint is scheduled from 10 p.m. Thursday to 3 a.m. Friday at an undisclosed location in the city, according to the department.

The department announced it will have additional officers on patrol from Thursday through New Year's Day looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The high-visibility enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others at risk.

The Carlsbad Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint from 6 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location in Carlsbad.

"Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk," Carlsbad police Sgt. Conrad Page-DeMorst said. "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety."

The La Mesa Police Department will hold a DUI checkpoint from 7 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location in La Mesa.

During the checkpoints, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests, according to the police departments. The primary purpose of checkpoints is to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

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

Funding for the checkpoints was provided by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.