The La Mesa Police Department and San Diego Sheriff’s Office announced Friday and Saturday night DUI checkpoints as holiday drunk driving enforcement ramps up across the region.
Officers in La Mesa will be stopping drivers from 7 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday at 4900 Spring Street to check for alcohol or marijuana impairment.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Police Chief Ray Sweeney said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”
Then on Saturday, sheriff’s deputies will be stopping drivers from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. Sunday at an undisclosed location in Vista.
Checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. They are often announced in advance to deter people who might drink or smoke to excess and then get behind the wheel.
The two checkpoints come as the San Diego Police Department begins additional holiday patrols under the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign against drunk driving.
From Friday through New Year’s Day, additional officers will be on patrol looking for impaired drivers.
Anyone charged with a first-time DUI faces an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
