By Leon Worden / SCVNews.com
One person was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving at a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint Friday night on Magic Mountain Parkway near Avignon Drive in Valencia.
A total of 1,204 vehicles were screened and four drivers were given field sobriety tests at the checkpoint, which ran from 6 p.m. to 2 p.m.
In addition to the one driver who failed the field sobriety test, three others were cited for driving without a license or with a suspended or revoked license, and nine additional citations were issued for various vehicle code violations.
“DUI checkpoints along with regularly scheduled high visibility DUI enforcement serves as a proven deterrent,” said SCV Traffic Sgt. Richard Cohen, “with the goal of removing alcohol and drugged impaired drivers and heightening awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence.”
DUI collisions have claimed five lives and resulted in 228 injuries over the past five years in the Santa Clarita Valley, Cohen said.
“If everyone planned ahead for a sober non-drinking designated driver, these numbers could be lowered to zero,” he said.
“Those arrested and convicted for DUI can expect jail time, vehicle storage or impound fees, license suspension, fines, fees, DUI classes, insurance rates will increase and other expenses that can push the cost of an arrest to over $10,000; not to mention the embarrassment they’ll face around family, friends and co-workers,” Cohen said in a statement.
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s next DUI/driver’s license checkpoint is tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 8, at an undisclosed location.