Napa Police Holding DUI Checkpoint Over Halloween Weekend

NAPA, CA — The Napa Police Department announced it will conduct a DUI checkpoint over Halloween weekend at an undisclosed location within the city limits.

The checkpoint is scheduled from 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, until 2 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. It is being held with support from Napa County Probation, the Calistoga Police Department and the Napa County District Attorney's Office.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes, the Napa Police Department said in a news release. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road, police said.

"Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk," said Napa police Sgt. Aaron Medina. "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety."

The Napa Police Department reminded the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol; some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Further, while medicinal and recreational marijuana is legal, driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.

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

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