Palm Desert DUI Checkpoint Planned Friday: What To Know

PALM DESERT, CA — A DUI Checkpoint is planned in Palm Desert from 7 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office announced. The checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed location, according to Sgt. Bryan De Loss.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data on impaired-driving-related crashes, De Loss said. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

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

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Deputy Leyva said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office – Palm Desert, reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. 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, according to Leyva.

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