Drunk Drivers Have Higher Chance Of Jail Time This Holiday Weekend

As deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station conduct a DUI checkpoint in the city Friday night, the California Highway Patrol has announced it will also be cracking down with stop of its own.  

The local CHP office will be conducting a DUI checkpoint May 26 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Riverside County.   

“Motorists approaching the checkpoint will see informational signs advising them that a checkpoint is ahead, explained Officer Nathan Baer of the Temecula Area CHP. “Once diverted into the lane, motorists will be detained only a few moments while an officer explains the purpose of the checkpoint and checks their driver license.”  

The CHP is also conducting a crackdown on unsafe driving along the Ortega Highway this weekend. Click here for that story.  

According to Baer, the CHP is preparing for increased enforcement throughout the heavy travel period of the Memorial Day weekend.   

The Memorial Day weekend is a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) for the CHP. It began May 24 at 6 p.m. and runs through May 27 at 11:59 p.m.    During the MEP, all available officers will be out on the roadways for enhanced enforcement efforts and assisting motorists wherever needed, according to Baer.  

“The long weekend can be particularly dangerous for drivers,” he said. “Young adults, males and those driving at night, are among those who have the greatest risk of being involved in a collision with an alcohol-impaired driver or worse yet, losing their lives. Local law enforcement will be out in force, cracking down on impaired driving.”