The Morgan Hill Police Department will host a DUI checkpoint from 6pm Aug. 28 until 2am Aug. 29, at an undisclosed location within the city limits.
MHPD said in a statement that the checkpoint location will be determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes.
The purpose of the checkpoint is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road, authorities said.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” MHPD Traffic Officer Nathan Rodriguez said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
The MHPD statement noted that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.
Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license, according to authorities.
Funding for the checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
