8 DUI Checkpoints Planned Across Los Angeles This Week

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Police Department will ramp up drunken-driving enforcement over the next week with a series of DUI checkpoints and extra patrols across the city beginning on St. Patrick's Day.

The 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 LAPD.

"The Los Angeles Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol," department officials said in a written release. "Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana 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 LAPD.

The checkpoints and patrols will take place as follows:

Tuesday, March 17

• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Roscoe Boulevard
• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at North Santa Monica Boulevard and Crescent Drive (Beverly Hills Police Department)
• saturation patrol from 3 to 11 p.m. in Hollywood Division
• saturation patrol from 3 to 11 p.m. in Pacific Division (Del Rey, Manchester Square, Mar Vista, Oakwood, Palms, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Venice, Westchester)

Wednesday, March 18

• saturation patrol from 4 p.m. to midnight in Newton Division (Fashion District, Pueblo Del Rio, South Park)

Thursday, March 19

• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Olympic Boulevard and Orme Avenue in Boyle Heights
• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Westwood Boulevard and Rochester Avenue in Westwood

Friday, March 20

• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Hyperion Avenue and Valley Brink Road in Atwater Village
• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at La Brea Avenue and Oakwood Avenue in the Fairfax District

Saturday, March 21

• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Ventura Boulevard and Columbus Avenue in Sherman Oaks

Sunday, March 22

• checkpoint from 6 to 11 p.m. at Florence Boulevard and Central Avenue in South Los Angeles
• saturation patrol from noon to 8 p.m. in Foothill Division (La Tuna Canyon, Lake View Terrace, Pacoima, Shadow Hills, Sun Valley, Sunland, Tujunga)