The Chula Vista Police Department has scheduled another driving under the influence checkpoint from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday.
Although the location is undisclosed, the DUI checkpoint will be determined by data based on areas with the highest number of impaired driver-related accidents.
Law enforcement will be stopping vehicles not only to check for proper license and registration, but to also observe for signs of intoxication and if needed, conduct field sobriety tests.
Drivers with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% or higher for those over 21 and 0.01% or higher for those under 21 will face penalties including fines, license suspension or potential jail time.
On average, a first-time DUI offender will face $13,500 in fines and penalties, along with a suspended license.
According to the UC Berkeley Transportation Injury Mapping System, 14.8% of accidents in 2024 were DUI-related in Chula Vista, an increase of 4.2% since 2022.
Drivers are reminded that driving impaired also extends to marijuana and some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs.
While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. Like alcohol, marijuana and some medications can interfere with a driver’s judgment, coordination and reaction time on the road.
