San Mateo DUI Checkpoint Planned Later This Month

SAN MATEO, CA — Officers with the San Mateo Police Department will set up a DUI checkpoint later this month as part of an effort to get impaired drivers off the road and boost public safety.

The checkpoint will be in place starting at 6 p.m. on April 15 at East 4th Avenue and South Grant Street, concluding at 2 a.m. Police said checkpoint locations are selected based on the number of crashes resulting from impaired driving.

"Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk," said Craig Collom, an SMPD sergeant. "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety."

In California, drivers charged with their first DUI will have their license suspended and typically face $13,500 in fines and penalties. Police caution that impaired driving is not limited to alcohol and includes driving under the influence of marijuana.

Funding for DUI checkpoints comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.