DUI Checkpoint Planned For San Gabriel Valley This Week

DIAMOND BAR, CA — The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will ramp up drunken-driving enforcement this weekend with an eight-hour DUI checkpoint on Friday.

The checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed location in Diamond Bar from 6 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday, Sgt. Michael Lennig told Patch.

DUI checkpoint locations target areas with a record of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests. Police will also be checking to ensure drivers are properly licensed, according to the LASD.

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

Authorities reminded the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol: Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license, according to the LASD.