On Wednesday, the California Highway Patrol announced that CHP officers from the Newhall area office will be conducting a DUI checkpoint in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County that will start from 6:30 p.m. on Friday and will end at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday.
A news release by the CHP Newhall area office states that the CHP officers will stop the motorists only for a short time while they check drivers for sobriety and informational signs advising motorists of the checkpoint to divert cars into the correct lane. According to the news release, CHP officers are not releasing the location of the checkpoint until right before the operation starts.
According to the California Highway Patrol officials, the main purpose for any checkpoint is to create awareness among the public, to stop individuals from driving under the influence and to make the roads as safe as possible for the people. They also said that if possible, they plan to screen every motor vehicle but depending on the volume of traffic, vehicles to be checked may be selected by a pre-set standard like every fifth or 10th car.
John Lutz, public information officer at the CHP Newhall area office said, “They’re educating the public. That’s the most important aspect, reminding people that officers are out there and looking for people driving under the influence”.
The news release shows that DUI arrests do not usually increase dramatically; checkpoints tend to decrease the number of drunk drivers on the road and provide an invaluable psychological influence on the motoring public.
Sgt. Rick Miler of the CHP Newhall area office said, “We’re looking at every driver who comes through. 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”.
News Source: HometownStation.com
