By Gina Yarbrough

Lemon Grove, CA–The Sheriff’s Department released data results from a Driving Under the Influence checkpoint conducted on Friday in East County, authorities said.

The Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation conducted the DUI checkpoint from 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. at 7879 Broadway in Lemon Grove.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road. Deputies will also be ensuring all drivers are properly licensed.

The Sheriff’s Department 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.

Approximately 503 vehicles went through the checkpoint, and 66 of them were sent to a  secondary checkpoint conducted by deputies.

Deputies issued 17 citations for unlicensed drivers and 3 for driving with a suspended permit. Two people were arrested for DUI alcohol and one person for DUI drugs. There were 4 vehicles stored by deputies.

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