DUI Checkpoints Planned Friday Night In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — Police departments in Escondido and La Mesa will conduct DUI checkpoints Friday night as part of efforts to curb impaired driving.

The La Mesa Police Department will hold its checkpoint from 7 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday at 4900 Spring St., according to the department.

The Escondido Police Department will conduct a separate checkpoint from 5 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location in the city.

Police said checkpoint locations are selected based on data showing where impaired-driving crashes have occurred.

Both departments reminded drivers that impairment can be caused by substances other than alcohol. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can interfere with a person's ability to drive, and driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal in California.

A first-time DUI conviction can result in an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties as well as a suspended driver's license, according to the departments.

Funding for the checkpoints was provided by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.