South OC Times

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is set to conduct a DUI and driver's license checkpoint in Mission Viejo on Friday, October 18, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The location of the checkpoint remains undisclosed.

These checkpoints are strategically placed based on collision statistics and DUI arrest frequency. Deputies will be checking for signs of alcohol or drug impairment and verifying proper driver licensing.

The department emphasizes that "DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze." Drivers should be aware that prescription drugs with warnings about operating machinery can lead to impairment sufficient for a DUI charge. Marijuana use, especially when combined with alcohol or other substances, can also impair driving ability and result in a DUI.

In California, 1,066 people lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes in 2019. To promote safety and prevent DUIs, the Sheriff's Department advises using designated sober drivers or public transportation, intervening if someone impaired attempts to drive, reporting drunk drivers by calling 911, and offering nonalcoholic drinks at parties while monitoring guests' plans for getting home safely.

The financial repercussions of a DUI arrest can exceed $13,500 due to fines, fees, mandatory classes, license suspension, potential jail time, and other costs.

This checkpoint initiative is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.