DUI checkpoints set up Friday night in Modesto

Officers will be looking for drunken drivers at three sobriety checkpoints tonight at separate, undisclosed locations in Modesto. The California Highway Patrol, Modesto police and a countywide task force will be conducting the checkpoints. The officers also will be looking for drivers without valid licenses. The CHP said its checkpoint will be in the southwest area of Modesto.

The Avoid the 12 campaign, which consists of all 12 law enforcement agencies in Stanislaus County, will kick off an enforcement effort ending Labor Day weekend with a sobriety checkpoint tonight, and Modesto police and the countywide task force will deploy roving saturation patrols Saturday night.

The patrols are conducted by officers assigned to solely look for drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Modesto police Sgt. Brian Findlen said those arrested face jail time, loss of their driver's license and increased insurance rates. The checkpoint and the patrols are funded by grants from the state Office of Traffic Safety.