The Modesto, CA, Police Department today announced plans for a DUI checkpoint this Friday, January 16th. The checkpoint is part of the city’s broader efforts to prevent impaired driving and increase road safety. According to the department, the checkpoint will run from 8 pm on Friday to 3 am Saturday morning. The location of the checkpoint wasn’t disclosed.
Reducing Impaired Drivers on Modesto Roads
Police officials stated that their selection of this and future checkpoint locations will correlate closely with data pointing toward areas of increased risk. During the checkpoint, officers will look for motorists operating vehicles while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances. They judge impairment by using an array of techniques. They may look for visual cues like bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, or the smell of alcohol on your person or inside your vehicle. Police may also ask drivers suspected of driving under the influence to submit to a field sobriety test or breathalyzer test to measure their blood alcohol content. The department clarified that drivers must remember that certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can lead to impaired driving citations, too.
Additionally, they pointed out that driving while under the influence of marijuana or other THC-laden products is also illegal. That’s despite California’s legalization of recreational and medicinal marijuana in other settings. In fact, a recent DUI stop performed by the California Highway Patrol in Modesto yielded the discovery and seizure of 15 pounds of marijuana. CHP arrested the driver on suspicion of illicit possession, transportation, and sale of said marijuana.
Citations
The Modesto Police Department also wishes to remind drivers that a DUI citation can come with some significant penalties. They include fines of up to $13,500 upon conviction. Additionally, first-time DUI offenders often face license suspension, which can impose further economic hardship.
The department’s renewed anti-DUI efforts come at a time when they’ve reported recent successes. According to the most recently published department data, increased enforcement contributed to a 16% YOY decrease in DUI-related collisions. Per Sgt. Darien Wilson, the checkpoint efforts reflect the department’s desire to do whatever is possible to deter impaired driving. He remarked, “Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” and that “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves [sic] traffic safety.”
Funding for the upcoming checkpoint comes courtesy of grants provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety. The grants are part of a statewide program sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Safer Roads
DUI checkpoints can remove some of the most dangerous drivers from local roads. In 2022, the city of Modesto saw 195 DUI accidents. These accidents can lead to devastating injuries and loss of life. Checkpoints can raise awareness and deter drivers from getting behind the wheel when they are intoxicated, potential saving lives
