By Gina Yarbrough
Carlsbad, CA–The Carlsbad Police Department announced it will conduct a driving under the influence checkpoint on Friday, operating from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on December 12 at an undisclosed location within the city.
According to the department, checkpoint sites are selected based on collision data and areas with a history of impaired driving incidents. Officials said the operation is intended to enhance public safety by identifying and removing suspected impaired drivers from local roadways.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sergeant Conrad Page-DeMorst said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
Authorities emphasized that impairment is not limited to alcohol consumption. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can affect a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. While marijuana is legal for medicinal and recreational use in California, driving under its influence remains prohibited.
Drivers convicted of a first-time DUI offense face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties and may also receive a license suspension.
The checkpoint is funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, provided via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
