Modesto police to hold DUI checkpoint Friday night into Saturday
The Modesto Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint on Friday, March 20, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce impaired driving and improve road safety.
The checkpoint is scheduled from 8 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday, the Modesto Police Department said in a social media post.
Police said checkpoint locations are selected based on data showing where impaired driving-related crashes have occurred. The goal is to deter drivers under the influence and prevent collisions.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Traffic Safety Unit Officer Cody Chesney said in a statement. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
Officials reminded the public that impairment is not limited to alcohol. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and marijuana can also affect a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
While marijuana use is legal in California, driving under its influence remains illegal.
Drivers arrested for a first-time DUI can face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, along with a suspended license, police said.
The checkpoint is funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
