According to Sgt. Patrick Lynch’s statement, the checkpoint was set up on San Jacinto Boulevard, north of Midway Street, in a location known for spotting DUI drivers. It ran from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday morning, he said.

“DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes,” he said. “The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the roads.”

At the checkpoint, officers achieved the following results:
1070 vehicles screened
7 Field Sobriety Tests conducted
3 people arrested for DUI
21 citations issued for driving without a driver license
4 citations for vehicle code violations
3 felony arrests for outstanding warrants
1 misdemeanor arrest for outstanding warrant
7 vehicles were stored or impounded.

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sgt. Lynch said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”

The San Jacinto Sheriff Station reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may 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.

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

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