California Highway Patrol officers are hosting a DUI checkpoint Friday at an undisclosed location in the Santa Clarita Valley.

It’s been about 18 months since the last time CHP officers hosted one, according to officials, noting the frequency of the checkpoints are predicated upon the availability of federal grants that pay for the staffing hours the operations require.

“This is the first one we’ve had in a while,” acknowledged CHP Officer Josh Greengard, a spokesman for the Newhall Office. “Checkpoints serve three purposes: deterrence, removal of drunk drivers from the road and public education.”

Records indicated the last one held by CHP officers was in March 2016.

The location of the checkpoint is not released to anyone, including personnel, until Friday.

“(The checkpoints) are all staffed by officers trained in the detection of alcohol and/or drug impairment,” Greengard said.

DUI checkpoints were first introduced in 1984 after the California Attorney General offered an opinion in which DUI checkpoints were permissible under the law, according to CHP officials.

The location will be announced just prior to the operation. Motorists approaching the checkpoint will see informational signs advising them of a sobriety checkpoint ahead. Once diverted into the lane, motorists will be detained only momentarily while an officer explains the purpose of the checkpoint.

The goal of the DUI Checkpoint is to create awareness among the motoring public, to deter people from driving under the influence, and to keep the streets safe for all.

Although checkpoints tend to reduce the number of drinking drivers on the road, CHP will apprehend DUI drivers who fail to heed warnings.

Even though arrest totals do not rise dramatically, the psychological influence a checkpoint has on the motoring public is invaluable, according to a CHP news release.

Sobriety checkpoints are conducted in accordance to the guidelines for checkpoint operations outlined in the Supreme Court decision, Ingersol vs. Palmer.

Traffic volume permitting, all vehicles will be checked. If traffic volume becomes too heavy, vehicles to be checked will be selected by a pre-set standard, such as every fifth or 10th vehicle, in order to assure objectivity.

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