BAKERSFIELD, Calif — The Bakersfield Police Department will be conducting a DUI checkpoint this Saturday between 6:00 pm to 2:00 am. The checkpoint will be somewhere within the city limits.
Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol impairment as well as checking drivers for proper licensing. Specially trained officers will also be looking for drug impaired driving which can include illegal drugs, prescription drugs and marijuana use.
In a statement, the BPD highlighted the importance of DUI checkpoints: "The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely."
According to a press release from the Bakersfield police, DUI collisions have claimed 26 lives and resulted in 487 crashes in Bakersfield.
