Santa Maria Police holding DUI Checkpoint on Saturday night | Crime and Courts

On Friday, the Santa Maria Police Department announced that the department will conduct a DUI Checkpoint from 6 p.m.. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city on Saturday, August 10.

According to the department release, checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

The SMPD announcement noted that impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk, and any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.

The Santa Maria Police Department also reminded the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

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