DUI Checkpoint To Be Held In Moreno Valley March 13

MORENO VALLEY, CA — A DUI checkpoint will be staged at an undisclosed location in Moreno Valley on March 13, officials announced on Tuesday.

During the checkpoint, which will be held from 6 p.m. Friday to midnight, deputies will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

"Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” said Deputy Carlos Martinez. "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety."

Officials reminded the public that impaired driving can include prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs that may interfere with driving. In addition, though medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Checkpoint locations are determined based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is to promote public safety by deterring impaired driving, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for the DUI checkpoint is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.