Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials are holding a DUI checkpoint somewhere in the city of Santa Clarita on Friday between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Sheriff’s deputies will be checking drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol or drug impairment, as well as proper licensing, and will strive to delay motorists only momentarily.

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Checkpoints are designed to deter residents from impaired driving, and are a proven resource in reducing the number of people killed and injured in alcohol- or drug-related crashes, according to a Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station news release.

Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough, sheriff’s station officials said.

Related Article: DUI Checkpoint In Santa Clarita Announced By California Highway Patrol

Anyone caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can expect jail, license suspension, insurance increases, DUI classes, fines and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

Checkpoints have the most effective documented results out of all the DUI enforcement strategies, and yield considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The locations of checkpoints are determined by collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, and are believed to have the greatest opportunity for deterring drunk and drugged driving, sheriff’s station officials said.

In 2011, almost 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one impaired driver or motorcycle rider and lead to 774 deaths in California because someone failed to designate a sober driver, according to the news release.

Funding for checkpoint operations is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Sheriff’s station deputies encourage drivers to plan ahead with the following tips:

• Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before drinking begins
• Identify and provide free non-alcoholic drinks or other promotional items to the designated driver
• Party hosts and servers must limit drinks to guests or patrons. Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours.
• Cut back on the amount of drinks you plan to bring to the party – and provide plenty of food.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

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