In an effort to curb the peril of drunken driving on Petaluma streets, the local police department is rolling out a DUI checkpoint this Friday. As the city gears up for its nocturnal watch, roads will become fortresses of law and order, with officers screening for any sign of intoxication well into the night. The undisclosed location within the city limits will be manned from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., aiming to significantly reduce the risks associated with impaired driving.

Booze and driving—a lethal combo that's claimed too many lives—has the Petaluma Police determined to put a cork in it. According to a notification released by the department, such checkpoints have a record of cutting down alcohol-related crashes by up to 20 percent. In the Golden State, slip-ups in this deadly vice cost 780 lives back in 2020. Across the nation’s roads, the death toll climbed to a harrowing 11,654 due to impaired driving.

At the upcoming checkpoint, officers trained to detect drug and alcohol impairment will be on guard, ensuring the process is quick and causes minimal hassle. Those found lacking proper licensing or showing signs of intoxication will face scrutiny. The Petaluma PD emphasizes that DUI is entirely avoidable and strongly advises party-goers to arrange for sober drivers or hail a ride when under the influence.

The stakes are high for those playing dice with DUI. Caught and charged on a first offense could drain pockets of up to $20,000 in fines and penalties, not to mention the privilege to drive being snatched away. The initiative, part of a broader crusade to enhance traffic safety and slash alcohol-induced collisions, is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.