Sentinel staff report–
The Citrus Heights Police Department said in a news release Monday that officers will be conducting a DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint operation from Thursday night through early Friday morning.
The department announced the upcoming operation in a news release as well as on social media, but did not disclose the location the checkpoint will be held. The operation is slated to begin at 9 p.m. on Dec. 15 and continue through 2 a.m. the next day.
Q&A: Why do police announce DUI checkpoints in advance?
Past checkpoint operations typically include officers briefly stopping vehicles to look for signs of alcohol and drug impairment, as well as checking drivers for valid licensing. Police also warn that drugs which may impair driving include many prescription drugs and even some over-the-counter medications.
The department said DUI collisions resulted in 802 deaths and nearly 24,000 serious injuries last year in California alone. Nationwide, the department said nearly 10,000 were killed.
As previously reported on The Sentinel, the Citrus Heights Police Department says it announces DUI operations in advance as a public awareness tool to help deter drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel in the first place. The department also regularly deploys “DUI Saturation Patrols,” which specifically search for, and pull over, drivers showing signs of intoxication.
Funding for CHPD’s checkpoints comes from a California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant, through the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration. Last year, CHPD announced it had been awarded a $205,000 OTS grant to help fund a year-long program of safety-related efforts, including DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols.
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