Sentinel staff report–
Citrus Heights police will hold a DUI and drivers license checkpoint this weekend in an effort to curb drunk driving.
According to a news release sent out by the police department, the checkpoint will be held at “an undisclosed location” in the city between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., beginning Saturday night, March 18, and continuing through early Sunday morning.
Police said the checkpoint operation will include officers briefly stopping vehicles to look for signs of alcohol and drug impairment, as well as checking drivers for proper licensing. Officers will also be on scene to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which can include many prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, according to the news release.
Q&A: Why do police announce DUI checkpoints in advance?
As previously reported on The Sentinel, the Citrus Heights Police Department says it announces DUI operations in advance as a public awareness tool to help deter drivers from getting behind the wheel drunk. The department also regularly deploys saturation patrols as an enforcement measure.
Funding for CHPD’s checkpoints comes from a California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant, through the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration.