By Gina Yarbrough
Carlsbad, CA–The Carlsbad Police Department will conduct a Driving Under the Influence checkpoint on July 12 at an undisclosed location in Carlsbad, the department announced.
The DUI checkpoint will operate from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. within the city, the Carlsbad Police Department said.
Checkpoint locations are selected based on data identifying areas with a history of impaired driving-related crashes. The goal, police say, is to increase public safety by removing suspected impaired drivers from the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” said Lt. Jason Arnotti. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle. Although marijuana is legal for medicinal and recreational use in California, driving under its influence remains illegal.
First-time DUI offenders face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, in addition to license suspension.
The checkpoint is funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.