Sacramento, California – Sacramento drivers heading out Friday night will encounter an extra layer of enforcement aimed at keeping impaired motorists off city streets.
From 8 p.m. on July 24 until 1 a.m. the following morning, the Sacramento Police Department will operate a driving under the influence checkpoint somewhere within the city. Police are not announcing the exact location in advance.
The checkpoint site was selected using data on crashes connected to impaired driving. Rather than choosing locations at random, the department focuses its enforcement in areas where records show a greater need for intervention.
Police said the operation is intended to improve public safety by identifying drivers who may be under the influence and removing them from the road before a serious or deadly collision occurs.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sergeant Anna Mahoney said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
The department is also reminding residents that impaired driving does not begin and end with alcohol. Certain prescription medicines can affect reaction time, alertness and judgment behind the wheel. Some over-the-counter medications may also make driving unsafe.
Marijuana presents another risk. Although California permits medicinal and recreational cannabis use, state law does not allow anyone to drive while under its influence.
For motorists, the consequences of a DUI can continue long after the checkpoint ends. According to the department, a driver charged with a first-time DUI faces an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties. A conviction can also result in the suspension of the person’s driver’s license.
The safest choice is to arrange transportation before drinking or using any substance that could interfere with driving. A sober driver, taxi or rideshare can prevent a costly arrest and, more importantly, reduce the chance of someone being injured on Sacramento’s roads.
Funding for the July 24 checkpoint comes from a grant provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The operation is part of a broader effort to discourage impaired driving through visible enforcement and public awareness.