DUI checkpoints in Modesto, county on Friday, Saturday nights

Those breaking out the bubbly or beer in early celebration of Valentine’s Day should know that Modesto police will conduct a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint Friday night at an undisclosed location. It will be in place from 8:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.

Saturday night, the Modesto area of the California Highway Patrol will do the same kind of checkpoint within the unincorporated area of Stanislaus County. That will be from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

DUI checkpoints are shown to have a deterrent effect in reducing alcohol- and drug-involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough, Modesto police report.

Officers will observe drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. They also will check drivers for proper licensing. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail time, license suspension and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

In 2011 nearly 10,000 people were killed nationwide in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher.

Funding for the checkpoints is provided by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 2:42 PM with the headline "DUI checkpoints in Modesto, county on Friday, Saturday nights."