The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) will hold a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and driver’s license checkpoint Friday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The checkpoint will be held in LBPD’s south division, the area of Anaheim Street to Harbor Scenic Drive and the Los Angeles River to Cherry Avenue. According to a press release from the police department, DUI checkpoints are determined based on data showing impaired driving-related crashes.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Lieutenant Jose Flores said in a public statement. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”
Impaired driving is not only caused by alcohol; some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving as well. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.
Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
