Recently, law enforcement officers conducted a DUI checkpoint in Rancho Mirage in Riverside County resulting in 22 arrests. Interestingly, only two of those arrests were for DUI charges. The majority of arrests and citations were for people suspected of operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.
DUI checkpoints frequently result in arrests on charges other than those associated with driving under the influence. They also tend to catch people with outstanding warrants and, like those mentioned above, people driving on suspended/revoked licenses.
The purpose of DUI checkpoints isn’t so much to arrest people but to discourage people from driving while impaired by being visible. The more roads with police looking for drunk drivers, the more likely one is to be caught drunk driving if they choose to do so.
Checkpoints like the one above as well as saturation patrols (areas where police escalate their presence), pop up from time to time throughout the year, but almost always around major holidays – particularly those associated with heavy drinking. Like this upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
Where and when the checkpoints will be hasn’t been released as of the writing of this blog, but they typically take place in areas known for frequent DUI stops.
Whatever you decide to do this weekend, make sure you have a safe ride to and from wherever you’re going if you plan on consuming alcohol. Ride-hailing phone apps like Uber and Lyft, somewhat pricy though they may be, are far less costly than a DUI arrest or worse. If you’re unable to confirm a safe ride to and from where you’re going, reserving a room close to your location can make a far ride unnecessary.
From all of us here at Adventure Bail Bonds to you and yours, have a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!
