South OC Times

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is set to conduct a DUI and driver's license checkpoint in Aliso Viejo on Friday, November 15. The operation will run from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location within the city.

These checkpoints are strategically placed based on collision statistics and the frequency of DUI arrests. Deputies will be on the lookout for signs of alcohol or drug impairment and will check drivers for proper licensing.

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

In California, 1,066 fatalities were recorded in alcohol-related crashes in 2019. To promote safety, the Sheriff's Department advises using designated sober drivers or alternative transportation options like ride-shares or public transit. They encourage taking action if someone appears impaired by taking their keys and arranging safe transport home. Additionally, they urge reporting drunk drivers by calling 911.

For those hosting parties, offering nonalcoholic drinks and monitoring guests' plans for getting home safely is recommended.

A DUI arrest can have significant financial consequences, potentially costing upwards of $13,500 due to fines, fees, classes, license suspension, and possible jail time.

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