Sheriff’s deputies arrested a half-dozen people during a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint in Coachella over the weekend, while Palm Springs police officers arrested one person during a similar operation.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department conducted its checkpoint at the intersection of Fourth and Cesar Chavez streets between 8 p.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday.
Of the 534 drivers screened, three were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, while three others were taken into custody on active arrest warrants. Fifteen motorists were additionally cited for driving unlicensed.
Palm Springs police officers organized a similar operation during the same time period in the 3100 block of North Indian Canyon Drive.
Police screened 565 drivers vehicles and arrested one person on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm and cited five drivers for driving unlicensed or with a suspended license, but nobody was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Palm Springs police are planning another DUI checkpoint April 30 in an undisclosed part of the city, where police officers will be searching for motorists driving under the influence of any impairing substance, not just alcohol.
Sheriff’s deputies did not announce any future checkpoint dates for the Coachella Valley.
Checkpoint locations are chosen based on historical data related to DUI crashes and arrests, and are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Those arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can spend time in jail and pay up to $13,500, including fines, fees, classes, license suspensions and other expenses.