South OC Times

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is set to conduct a DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint in Rancho Santa Margarita on Friday, January 31. The operation will run from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., though the exact location remains undisclosed.

DUI checkpoints are strategically placed based on collision data and DUI arrest rates. During these operations, deputies focus on detecting alcohol and drug impairment and ensuring drivers possess valid licenses.

The department emphasizes that "DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze." Impairment can result from prescription drugs, particularly those with warnings against driving or operating machinery. Marijuana use, especially when combined with alcohol or other substances, can also lead to impairment and a DUI charge.

In 2019, California saw 1,066 fatalities related to alcohol-involved crashes. To prevent such incidents, the Sheriff's Department advises using designated sober drivers or alternatives like ride-shares and public transport. They also encourage reporting impaired drivers by calling 911 and offer guidance for party hosts to provide nonalcoholic options and monitor guests' travel arrangements.

A DUI arrest can have significant financial repercussions, potentially costing over $13,500 in fines, fees, classes, license suspension costs, and other expenses—not to mention possible jail time.

This checkpoint initiative receives funding from a grant provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.