Sgt. Reza Pourfarhani and the Novato Police Department are on the lookout for impaired drivers this Friday. A DUI checkpoint will be set up in the city on December 15, an effort aimed at curbing the dangers of driving under the influence. Sgt. Pourfarhani made it clear in a Novato Police Department report: "Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk." Determined by areas with a higher rate of alcohol and drug-related crashes, the exact checkpoint location is being kept under wraps for now.
The sobering cost of a first-time DUI rings up to about $13,500 in fines and penalties, and that's not counting the hit your driving record will take with a suspended license. Checkpoints like the one planned for Friday serve a dual purpose: getting potentially dangerous drivers off the streets while reminding the public of the steep toll driving under the influence can exact on their wallet and clean record.
In a reminder that might save some drivers from a hefty fine or worse, the Novato Police underscore that it's not just alcohol that can lead to a DUI. Even legally obtained substances, such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and marijuana, can impair a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely. Just because it's legal, the Novato Police stress doesn't mean you can drive on it.
The upcoming checkpoint is backed by more than just local concerns. Funding for the operation comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, part of a larger nationwide initiative by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to keep roads free of impaired drivers.
