​DUI Checkpoint Slated Friday In La Mesa

LA MESA, CA — With Christmas around the corner, police will conduct a DUI checkpoint this weekend in La Mesa.

The checkpoint is scheduled from 7 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location within the city, according to the La Mesa Police Department.

"Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk," La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney said in a statement.

"Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety," Sweeney said. "The goal of the city of La Mesa's Vision Zero Plan is to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by 2025, and this DUI Checkpoint is part of that effort."

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes, according to the department. Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

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