Extra DUI Patrols Scheduled This Weekend In Coachella Valley

PALM DESERT, CA — The Riverside County Sheriff's Department will conduct increased patrols this weekend across much of the Coachella Valley, targeting motorists suspected of driving under the influence, it was announced this week.

Deputies with the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station will deploy extra patrols from noon Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday. The station covers the cities of Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, as well as the western half of the Coachella Valley's unincorporated areas.

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"Impaired driving is preventable," Deputy Bret Meservey said. "It's a choice. If you've been drinking or consuming drugs that impair, make the right choice by finding a sober driver or alternate transportation to take you places."

Sheriff's officials cautioned that DUI enforcement is not limited to alcohol. Certain prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and marijuana — though legal for medicinal and recreational use — can impair driving ability and result in an arrest.

First-time DUI offenders face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, along with a driver's license suspension, authorities said.

Funding for the specialized patrol operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.