California Highway Patrol to conduct Modesto DUI checkpoint Friday night
The California Highway Patrol’s Modesto office will conduct a DUI checkpoint Friday night from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at an undisclosed location in north Modesto, within unincorporated Stanislaus County.
Checkpoint locations are chosen based on crash data and areas with a high number of DUI arrests, as well as safety considerations for both officers and the public. Officers will screen drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment and check for valid licenses. Motorists can expect brief delays.
“The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes,” reads a press release from CHP.
Drivers arrested for DUI can face jail time, fines, DUI classes and other costs that may exceed $15,000.
Studies show that regularly conducted and well-publicized DUI checkpoints and patrols can reduce impaired-driving crashes by up to 20%. Nationwide, drunk driving remains a leading cause of traffic deaths. On average, 37 people die every day in alcohol-related crashes — roughly one every 39 minutes. In 2023 alone, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths.
“These deaths were all preventable,” reads the press release.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that DUI checkpoints are among the most effective tools for preventing impaired driving. Nearly 90% of California drivers support their use.
This checkpoint is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the NHTSA.
To report a suspected drunk driver, call 9-1-1.
