Modesto residents should prepare for an evening slowdown this weekend, as the Modesto Police Department is gearing up to conduct a DUI checkpoint. Slated to run from 8:00 pm to 3:00 am tomorrow, those planning to drive through the city on Saturday might want to give themselves some extra time or consider an alternative mode of transportation. The location remains undisclosed, but the purpose is clear: to curb impaired driving and boost public safety.
The move to establish such a checkpoint comes on the heels of data indicating a concerning pattern of impaired driving-related crashes within the area. "Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk," Sergeant Darien Wilson stated in a post from Modesto Police Department's Facebook page. The checkpoints serve as a deterrent and a means to remove potential hazards from the roads before tragedy strikes.
However, it's not only alcohol that the checkpoint will be on the lookout for. Officials from the Department have noted that both legal and prescription drugs could impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely. Specifically, they've highlighted that, while the use of medicinal and recreational marijuana is legal in California, driving under the influence of marijuana is not. Those caught in the act could be met with severe consequences, including a suspended license and fines averaging around $13,500.
These enforcement efforts are part of a broader safety initiative, funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety and backed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant aims to support programs that contribute to decreasing traffic-related fatalities and injuries on California roadways.
