The Long Beach Police Department will conduct a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Saturday, February 21 in East Long Beach, from 7:00PM to 3:00AM, Sunday morning.
Officers will look for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and will be checking drivers for proper licensing. Those suspected of drug-impaired driving will be evaluated by specially trained officers, when possible, according to the LBPD. Drugs that may impair driving include illegal narcotics, many prescription drugs, marijuana and over-the-counter medications.
According to the LBPD, research has proven that DUI checkpoints can deter crashes involving a drunk or drug-impaired driver by up to 20 percent when publicized and conducted on a routine basis. Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, along with the safety of the officers and the public.
Drivers caught under the influence can expect a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.
Funding for the checkpoint is provided to the LBPD by a grant from the California Office of Traffic SAfety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.