El Centro PD to conduct DUI checkpoint

The El Centro Police Department is conducting a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint on Saturday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The checkpoint will be located at 2900 South Dogwood and officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and or drug impairment.

Alcohol involved collisions in California have led to 1,155 deaths and nearly 24,000 serious injuries in 2014. This was the result of someone failing to designate a sober driver.

Studies reveal that 30 percent of California drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their system. Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent at a 7.4 percent and alcohol at a 14 percent.

Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication whether prescription or over-the-counter-drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the designated driver very important person program to ensure those drinking get home safely. Partnering bars have created non-alcoholic beverages for sober drivers.

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El Centro PD offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t’t involve a DUI:

Decide before you go out whether you plan to drink or drive. You can’t do both. If you plan to drink, designate a sober driver before going out or map out another safe way to get home by taxi, ride-share or public transportation. You can also look up designated driver services in your area using the National Directory of Designated Driver Services (NDDDS). See your friend or other patron impaired trying to get behind the wheel? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely. Report drunk drivers – Call 911.