The San Francisco Police Department is setting up a DUI checkpoint this Friday, aiming to catch any booze or drug-hobbled drivers. According to a recent announcement from the department, the operation will unfold within city limits from 7:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M. on January 26.

While the exact location of the checkpoint remains under wraps, the chosen spot is notorious for a spate of DUI-related mishaps. The SFPD's initiative is less about slapping cuffs on the inebriated and more to do with deterring folks from even thinking of getting behind the wheel after a tipple too many, as per SFPD's news release.

"The safety of our community is and always will be our mission," Police Chief William Scott stated. Officers are set to rigorously screen for signs of drivers under the influence, eyeing any hint of alcohol or drug use that could turn a car into a two-ton hazard.

The SFPD shed light on the varying shades of impaired driving. It's not only the booze; legally obtained marijuana and legally prescribed meds can also impair. They are urging the public to stay clear of the driver's seat if they've been drinking or might be under the influence of any substance, even those with the stamp of legal or medical approval. The warning is stark: drivers cuffed with their first DUI could be out around $13,500 in fines and kiss their driving privileges goodbye, as highlighted in their release.

And it isn't just local funds fueling this Friday's checkpoint. It's brought to life by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, invested in making sure the residents of San Francisco can travel without fearing the reckless decisions of an impaired driver. The department also reminds everyone to do their civic duty: ‘Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1’.