LANCASTER – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location in Lancaster this Thursday, Sept. 1, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m., authorities announced.
The checkpoint’s location will be chosen based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of a DUI checkpoint is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sgt. Robert Hill said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”
The Sheriff’s Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may also 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 Sheriff’s Department.
Funding for this DUI checkpoint is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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ACE says
GEEZ WE ALL HOPE THEY CATCH ONE THIS TIME…
CATCH SOME OF THOSE AWFUL POT SMOKERS TOO…
TAKING AWAY PEOPLE’S CARS…
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SEEMS SORT OF FUTILE WHEN THEY NEVER CATCH EVEN ONE DUI…
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WHILE OUR BRAVE PEACE OFFICERS STAND AROUND SMOKIN’ AND JOKIN’…
PLAYING WITH THEIR HANDCUFFS…
AND EATING LOTS OF DONUTS…
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WHILE OUR STREETS, SCHOOLS, PARKS AND CHURCHES ARE NOT SAFE…
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Chris says
Well, Ace, checkpoints are highly visible, highly publicized events meant to deter drinking and driving in the first place. Checkpoints have been shown to have the potential to lower DUI fatality rates by up to 20 percent by virtue of their deterrence. People go through them, drive past them, hear about them via multiple grapevines and get the ongoing impression that drunk driving is dangerous, socially unacceptable, and that law enforcement is actively looking for it.
Patrols are meant to catch active drunks, get them off the streets and prosecute them. Patrols have little deterrent value, but high enforcement value. They are both good tactics and both should be in the arsenal of DUI combating tactics, along with others. In terms of catching drunks, nothing beats patrols. In terms of saving lives, nothing beats checkpoints.
These checkpoints do not pull officers from regular crime patrol. They are on overtime and paid for by a federal grant.