By SDCN Editor
Poway, CA–The Sheriff’s Department conducted a Driving Under the Influence checkpoint in Poway Friday evening, authorities said.
The checkpoint ran from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the 12700 block on Poway Road. The operation is aimed at enhancing public safety by removing impaired drivers from the road and ensuring that all motorists are properly licensed.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, the location for the checkpoint was selected based on data highlighting areas with a high incidence of impaired driving-related crashes.
During the six-hour operation, 488 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, with 375 of those being screened. Deputies directed 30 vehicles to a secondary evaluation area for further inspection. Out of these, one driver underwent a DUI evaluation, though no arrests were made for DUI involving alcohol or drugs.
In addition to DUI checks, deputies issued several citations to seven drivers for driving without a valid license or with a suspended or revoked license, and one vehicle was towed. Two drivers received citations for not having their driver’s license, and two others were cited for violations related to cell phone use while driving.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department issued a reminder to the public about the dangers of impaired driving, noting that it includes more than just alcohol. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can impair driving abilities, and driving under the influence of marijuana, despite its legal status for medicinal and recreational use, remains illegal.
The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, demonstrating the ongoing efforts to keep roads safe from impaired drivers.
