By Leon Worden / SCVNews.com
Two drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence at a DUI checkpoint in Newhall Friday night.
Another 15 people were ticketed for driving without a license, and one person was cited for driving with a suspended license. Ten more tickets were issued for various vehicle code violations.
Unlicensed drivers get to keep their cars at DUI checkpoints, thanks to a change in state law that took effect Jan. 1. Under the law, police officers can’t impound vehicles driven by unlicensed drivers at checkpoints – but they still can confiscate unlicensed drivers’ cars at any other location and impound them for 30 days.
Checkpoint or no, cars driven by persons with a suspended license can be impounded because the driver is violating a court order not to drive.
Deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station conducted Friday night’s checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Lyons Avenue and Wheeler Road. The location was selected because of “DUI-related activity in that area,” according to a statement from SCV Traffic Sgt. Richard Cohen.
A total of 987 vehicles were screened at the checkpoint, which was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.