CHP officers from the Newhall area office will be conducting a DUI checkpoint in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday and continuing until approximately 2:30 a.m. Saturday, California Highway Patrol officials announced Wednesday.
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Informational signs advising motorists of the checkpoint will divert cars into the correct lane and CHP officers will strive to detain motorists only momentarily while they check drivers for sobriety, according to a news release by the CHP Newhall area office.
CHP officers are not releasing the location of the checkpoint until right before the operation begins, according to the news release.
CHP’s goal for any checkpoint is to create awareness among the public, to deter people from driving under the influence and to make the streets as safe as possible, CHP officials said.
Related Article: DUI Checkpoint In Santa Clarita Leads To Arrest By CHP
“They’re educating the public,” said John Lutz, public information officer at the CHP Newhall area office. “That’s the most important aspect, reminding people that officers are out there and looking for people driving under the influence.”
While arrest totals do not usually rise dramatically, checkpoints tend to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road and provide an invaluable psychological influence on the motoring public, according to the news release.
If possible, CHP officers plan to screen every car, but depending on the volume of traffic, vehicles to be checked may be selected by a pre-set standard, such as every fifth or 10th car, CHP officials said.
“We’re looking at every driver who comes through,” said Sgt. Rick Miler of the CHP Newhall area office. “If they give us some reason to check them out– if they’re moving around or they look like they’re hiding something– then we’ll engage them.”
For more information, contact the CHP Newhall area office at (661) 294-5540.
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