South OC Times

The Orange County Sheriff's Department has announced a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint scheduled for Friday, March 14, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Lake Forest. The exact location remains undisclosed.

These checkpoints are strategically placed based on collision data and DUI arrest frequency. Officers will be on the lookout for signs of alcohol or drug impairment and will also verify drivers' licenses.

A department spokesperson highlighted that "DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze," emphasizing that prescription drugs with warnings about driving or operating machinery can impair drivers sufficiently 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 occurred in alcohol-related crashes in 2019 alone.

To promote safe practices, 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, the public is encouraged to report drunk drivers by calling 911.

For those hosting gatherings, offering nonalcoholic beverages and monitoring guests' sobriety and travel plans is recommended.

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