Tis the season to drive sober, according to Long Beach police, who Monday announced the arrest of one person who apparently did not get the memo.
Despite warnings from law enforcement agencies across Southern California and promises of beefed-up enforcement, one motorist was snared at a DUI checkpoint in Long Beach and another four were arrested on suspicion of DUI offenses at a checkpoint in Riverside County.
A checkpoint set up at Artesia Boulevard and Cherry Avenue between 6 p.m. Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday resulted in five citations for unlicensed operation of a vehicle and one DUI arrest. Officers screened 157 drivers and vehicles out of 249 that passed through the checkpoint, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
In Riverside, a checkpoint operated on University Avenue east of Ottawa Avenue between 6 p.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday saw two people arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, one on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and one on suspicion of DUI of an unspecified drug or drugs.
Another 38 drivers were arrested on suspicion of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle or driving with suspended or revoked privileges.
A total of 723 vehicles passed through that checkpoint.
Police reminded everyone to plan ahead, use ride-hailing apps and never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs during the holidays and every day.