Modesto police to hold DUI checkpoint Friday night
The Modesto Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint Friday night, officials announced.
The checkpoint is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday through 3 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location within Modesto. Police said checkpoint locations are selected based on data showing incidents of crashes that involve impaired driving.
The primary goal of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by removing suspected impaired drivers from the road, according to police.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sgt. Darien Wilson said in a statement. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
Police also reminded the public that impaired driving is not limited to alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can interfere with driving, officials said. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal in California, driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.
Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, along with a suspended driver’s license, police said.
Funding for the checkpoint was provided through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
