CHP To Hold DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint In Sonoma County

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The California Highway Patrol's Santa Rosa Area Office will conduct a sobriety/driver's license checkpoint Friday night, the agency announced Tuesday in a news release.

The checkpoint will take place between 6 p.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday at a yet-to-be-disclosed location in Sonoma County.

"The goal of this event is to ensure the safety of each and every motorist by targeting roads where there is a high frequency of drunk driving," said Capt. Randy England, commander for the Santa Rosa Area CHP. "A sobriety checkpoint is an effective tool for achieving this goal and is designed to augment existing patrol operations. By publicizing our efforts, we believe that we can deter motorists from drinking and driving."

Traffic volume permitting, all cars will be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can expect to be arrested, according to the news release.

"We want to send a clear message to those considering mixing alcohol or drugs with driving – the California Highway Patrol will be keeping a watchful eye out for you," England said. "In a perfect world, people would heed this message and make alternate transportation arrangements if they plan to imbibe. There are so many options to do so, but our experience tells us we will still be making arrests."

Friday's checkpoint is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

The location will be disclosed to members of the media Friday afternoon.