Police will be on the lookout for drunk drivers in Sacramento area. Here’s when and where
Police are on the lookout for drunk drivers in the Sacramento area.
Officers from the Lincoln Police Department will be stationed at an undisclosed location within Lincoln city limits in Placer County to catch those driving under the influence of intoxicants, the agency said in a news release.
“The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired,” police said in the release.
When and where is DUI checkpoint in Sacramento area?
The Lincoln Police Department will operate the DUI checkpoint from 7 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Nov. 23, the release said.
Police said the location was chosen based on a “history of DUI crashes and arrests.”
What is considered impaired driving?
In addition to drunk driving, impaired driving includes the use of medications such as prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
“Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or operating heavy machinery, which includes driving a car,” police said in the release.
Driving under the influence of cannabis is also illegal, police said.
Funding for the DUI checkpoint program was provided by a grant from the California Highway Patrol’s Cannabis Tax Fund.
Law enforcement agencies are legally required to notify the public of DUI checkpoints ahead of time.
Do I have to comply with police at DUI checkpoint?
California Vehicle Code 2814.2 says all drivers must stop and submit to a sobriety checkpoint inspection when law enforcement requires it.
However, a driver is not legally obligated to submit to field sobriety tests, pre-arrest breath tests or cheek swabs at a DUI checkpoint, according to Shouse California Law Group.
Read more: Do I have to comply with law enforcement at a DUI checkpoint? See what California law says
Can I avoid a drunk driving checkpoint?
If a driver has not yet been stopped by law enforcement, there are ways they can avoid the checkpoint.
There is no state or federal law that prohibits someone from turning around or finding another route — as long as it is safe to do so — to avoid a DUI checkpoint, according to Shouse California Law Group.
Read more: California driving laws: Red lights, merging, car tags and more. Here are the rules
What are penalties for driving under the influence?
If you are stopped by law enforcement for driving under the influence of intoxicants, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has the authority to revoke or suspend your driving privilege.
Drivers charged with a first-time DUI can also face an average of $13,500 in fines, fees and more.
