The streets of Yorba Linda will see increased patrol on Friday night as the Orange County Sheriff’s Department gears up to deploy a DUI checkpoint, in an effort to deter potentially impaired drivers from taking to the road. The checkpoint, which is scheduled for Jan. 5 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., remains under wraps, with officials keeping the precise location close to the chest.
In a crackdown to lower the rates of alcohol-related accidents, deputies will be actively looking to spot signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. If history is any indicator, the initiative is a necessary one, with the department disclosing that "DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze." Drivers under the influence of prescribed medication bearing warnings related to operating machinery, as well as marijuana users, are also on the law enforcement radar; both can easily find themselves facing DUI charges. This comes in the wake of startling figures released by the department that in 2019, California roads were the site of 1,066 fatal alcohol-involved collisions.
According to a statement obtained by OCSD, they are actively advising the public on ways to avoid the perils of DUI. Suggestions include leveraging ride-share services, employing a designated driver, or utilizing public transportation. They also encourage party hosts to keep a vigilant eye on their guests' alcohol consumption and to offer methods for a safe journey home.
The price of safety is affordable, whereas the cost of a DUI arrest can be staggering. Offenders caught driving impaired can expect to be hit with penalties amounting to a whopping $13,500, a sum inclusive of fines, fees, DUI classes, and additional expenditures. Not to trivialize, potential jail time can also be a stark reality. The California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is footing the bill for this sobering initiative, providing the necessary grant funds to orchestrate the DUI checkpoint.
