Checkpoint Will Run From 6:00 p.m. To 2:00 a.m. at an Undisclosed Location
The Santa Monica Police Department will operate a DUI checkpoint on Friday, August 29, at an undisclosed location in the city, authorities announced. The checkpoint will run from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Police said locations for the checkpoints are selected using crash data that shows where incidents involving impaired drivers occur most frequently. The department emphasized that the purpose is not only to identify offenders but also to deter impaired driving and promote public safety.
SMPD reminded residents that impairment is not limited to alcohol. Certain prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and marijuana, even when legally used, can all compromise a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
“Impaired drivers put everyone on the road at significant risk,” the department said in a statement. “Any prevention measures that reduce their presence improve safety for all road users.”
First-time DUI convictions in California carry an average cost of $13,500 in fines and penalties, in addition to a suspended driver’s license.
Funding for the checkpoint program comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
