New Year's Eve DUI Checkpoint Planned in Palm Desert

Palm Desert police will staff a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint this week in town, sheriff’s officials announced.

The operation is planned for the night New Year’s Eve, which is Wednesday. The checkpoint is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. and last through 3 a.m. Thursday.

“The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes,” Sergeant David Wright said in a news release. “ Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.”

Funding for the operation comes from state and federal grants.