DUI checkpoints planned for the Sacramento area during Fourth of July stretch. What we know

The Sacramento Police Department and the California Highway Patrol will conduct DUI checkpoints in Sacramento County on Friday night.

Police will be stationed in midtown between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m., according to a news release from the agency. Officers will search for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“The primary purpose of the checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired,” the department said in a news release.

The location of the checkpoint is decided based on where prior DUI crashes and arrests have occurred, a police spokesperson said. The exact site of the checkpoint will not be released to the public beforehand.

Where CHP will conduct DUI checkpoint

California Highway Patrol officers with its South Sacramento office will hold a DUI checkpoint in an unincorporated area of south Sacramento on July 5. It will be in operation from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday night.

CHP said it would reveal the exact time and place of the checkpoint two hours before the operation begins. It will choose a location that is heavily trafficked in the area.

“The goal of the CHP is to ensure the safe passage of every motorist through proactive enforcement and education,” the department said in a news release. “Sobriety/driver license checkpoints have proven to be an effective tool.”

What are the penalties for a DUI?

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face a license suspension and owe an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties.

If residents plan to drink, use drugs or take prescription medications that can affect their driving abilities, law enforcement recommends staying home or using a ride-share service.