Eleven people were arrested, including four accused of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, during a DUI checkpoint over the weekend in Desert Hot Springs, police reported Monday.
Two dozen motorists were also cited for operating a vehicle without a license, or with a license that had been suspended or revoked, during the checkpoint conducted from 7 p.m. Friday to 1:30 a.m. Saturday at Palm Drive and Granada Avenue, according to police. The location was chosen based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests in the area, according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.
“The safety of our community is and always will be our mission,” Chief Jim Henson said. “We are still out there in the middle of a pandemic because driving under the influence is still dangerous and puts a further strain on critical resources.”
Police did not immediately provide information on the seven non-DUI arrests.
DUI arrests can lead to jail time and cost motorists up to $13,500 in fines, fees, classes, license suspension and other expenses.
Drivers taking prescription drugs, particularly those with labeled warnings about driving or operating machinery, may also become impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be an impairment, police said, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.
The checkpoint was funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.