By Gina Yarbrough
Santee, CA–Three people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence at a checkpoint in Santee Saturday night, authorities said.
Deputies from the Santee Sheriff’s Station conducted the DUI and Driver’s License checkpoint in the 8800 block of North Magnolia Avenue. The operation, which ran from 8:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., aimed to identify and remove impaired drivers from the roads to enhance public safety.
During the checkpoint, a total of 1,097 vehicles passed through. Out of these, 72 were sent to a secondary inspection area for further evaluation. Six drivers underwent DUI evaluations, resulting in three arrests due to alcohol impairment. There were no arrests for drug-related DUIs.
Additionally, seven drivers were cited for operating a vehicle without a license, one driver was cited for driving with a suspended license, and three vehicles were towed from the scene.
In a statement, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department emphasized the dangers of impaired driving, noting that it is not limited to alcohol. They reminded the public that certain prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can also impair driving abilities. While both medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal in California, driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.
The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
