South OC Times

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is set to conduct a DUI and driver's license checkpoint in Yorba Linda on Friday, January 3. The operation will run from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., although the exact location remains undisclosed.

DUI checkpoints are strategically placed based on collision data and the frequency of DUI arrests. During this period, deputies will be vigilant for signs of alcohol or drug impairment and will verify drivers' licenses.

The department emphasizes that "DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze." Prescription drugs with warnings against driving or operating machinery can impair users enough to warrant a DUI charge. Marijuana use, particularly when combined with alcohol or other substances, can also lead to impairment and result in a DUI.

In California, 1,066 fatalities were recorded in alcohol-related crashes in 2019.

To prevent DUIs, the Sheriff's Department advises using designated sober drivers such as friends who abstain from drinking, ride-shares, cabs, or public transportation. They urge individuals to intervene if they see someone impaired attempting to drive by taking their keys and arranging alternative transportation. Additionally, drunk drivers should be reported by calling 911. For those hosting parties, offering nonalcoholic beverages and monitoring guests' plans for getting home is recommended.

The cost of safely returning home is minimal compared to the potential expenses associated with a DUI arrest which can exceed $13,500 due to fines, fees, classes, license suspension, possible jail time among other costs.

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