Sobriety Checkpoint Set for Friday

The Palm Desert Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers' License checkpoint on Friday, June 29, 2012 from 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM, somewhere within the City of Palm Desert. In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes, DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving.

All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI/Driver's License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver's license. DUI Checkpoints, along with regularly scheduled high visibility DUI enforcement, are proven strategies with the goal of removing impaired drivers from the road and heightening awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

A DUI checkpoint is a proven effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Palm Desert Police Department believes motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving. In addition, members of the community are encouraged to designate a sober driver before drinking and operating a motor vehicle.

Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs – "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over." The public is encouraged to help keep our roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver.

Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who reminds everyone to please Report Drunk Driving by calling 911.