A Newhall DUI checkpoint netted three arrests Friday night, according to a Sheriff’s Station statement.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station conducted a DUI/driver’s License checkpoint Friday from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. as part Santa Clarita’s commitment to traffic safety, according to a statement by Sgt. Rich Cohen of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s Traffic Unit.

This checkpoint was one of many that have been, or will be conducted throughout the year, in Santa Clarita.

The location of last night’s checkpoint was on Lyons Avenue and Wheeler Road in Newhall.

DUI checkpoints along with regularly scheduled high visibility DUI enforcement serves as a proven deterrent with the goal of removing alcohol and drugged impaired drivers and heightening awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence.

944 Vehicles were screened.

5 Drivers were given field sobriety tests.

1 Driver was arrested for felony possession of narcotics.

3 Drivers were arrested for DUI.

12 Unlicensed and/or suspended/revoked drivers were sent to court.

7 Drivers were cited and sent to court for various Vehicle Code violations.

5 Vehicles were towed, two with 30-day impound holds.

“Over the course of the past five years, DUI collisions have claimed 11 lives and resulted in 255 injury crashes harming 363 of our friends and neighbors,” Cohen said. “If everyone planned ahead for a sober non-drinking designated drivers, these numbers could be lowered to zero.

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 & co-workers.

Funding for this and other DUI operations are from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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