Crime & Safety

DUI Checkpoint Scheduled for Friday Night

The CHP will look for drunk drivers to prevent unnecessary accidents due to the influence of alcohol.

It’s summertime and the nights are a perfect mild temperature. Weekends are for spending time with loved ones and unwinding from the workweek.

But if this carefree attitude is applied to driving under the influence, CHP officers will seek you out, according to spokesman Art Montiel. The will conduct a DUI checkpoint on Friday, Aug. 19, from 7 to 11 p.m. to search for those who are driving drunk.

Because there tends to be more people out driving on the weekends and in the summer in general, there can be more people driving under the influence, said Montiel.

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For those driving responsibly, there’s always an alternative exit that drivers can take if they do not want to go to the checkpoint. But drunk drivers, Montiel said, are often unaware of the alternate exit and still proceed to go through the checkpoint.

“They’re under the influence and still don’t see the checkpoint,” Montiel said. “Or they’re so inebriated they don’t think they’re drunk.”

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A recent checkpoint in May took place right off Highway 92 West, and drivers had the option of veering towards Bunker Hill Drive to avoid the checkpoint. However, two drunk drivers did not take this option and were promptly arrested, Montiel said.

“We just want people to drive safe and have a back-up plan if their designated driver falls through,” Montiel said.  

The CHP will release the exact location two hours before the DUI checkpoint begins.


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