The Long Beach Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint Friday, ahead of Labor Day weekend, to discourage people from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, authorities announced Tuesday morning.
The exact location for the checkpoint was not released, but the LBPD said officers would set up from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the city’s North Division, which includes Bixby Knolls, Cal Heights, and North Long Beach.
Police say the checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests, with the main purpose being to deter people from driving while impaired.
At the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs including prescription medication and marijuana, police said.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” LBPD Lt. Jose Flores said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
Earlier this month, police cited 5 people for license violations at a DUI checkpoint in Alamitos Heights
Drivers charged with operating a vehicle while impaired face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
Funding for the checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.