San Diego Sheriff's Department
A sheriff’s traffic checkpoint. Courtesy, San Diego Sheriff’s Department

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department announced plans for a DUI and license checkpoint in Poway on Friday night.

Deputies will be stopping drivers from 8 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location to check for alcohol or marijuana impairment as well as proper licensing.

The department said the checkpoint location would be chosen based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests.

Checkpoints are frequently announced in advance because of the deterrent effect on people who might drink or smoke to excess and then get behind the wheel.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Chris Jennewein is Editor & Publisher of Times of San Diego.