By SDCN Editor
Carlsbad, CA–Carlsbad police will hold a DUI checkpoint on Friday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. the next morning on Carlsbad Boulevard at Beech Avenue, authorities said.
The checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI collisions and arrests. The primary purpose of the checkpoint is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired, Carlsbad police said in a news release.
During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Carlsbad police added that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Also, while medicinal and recreational marijuana is legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. Drivers should stay at home or use a taxi or rideshare service.
Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.