Crime & Safety

Checkpoint Scheduled Tonight in Lake Elsinore

The checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed location within the city limits, according to Lake Elsinore police Sgt. Peter Giannakakos.

The Lake Elsinore Police Department advised that its Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/driver's license checkpoint tonight.

The checkpoint will be held between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27 at an undisclosed location within the city limits, according to Lake Elsinore police Sgt. Peter Giannakakos.

“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,” Giannakakos stated in a news release.

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Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily, according to Giannakakos. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, added the sergeant.

The Lake Elsinore Police Department is staffing the checkpoint with grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “targeting those who still don’t heed the message to designate a sober driver,” according to the news release.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During a checkpoint held Dec. 14  at Riverside Drive and Walnut in Lake Elsinore, two motorists were arrested on suspicion of DUI. Additionally, three vehicles were impounded and five unlicensed or drivers with suspended licenses were sent to court.

The checkpoints are part of a county-wide holiday crackdown in effect through New Year’s Eve. The Avoid the 30 task force—named for the number of law enforcement agencies participating—made a total 250 DUI arrests between Dec. 13 and 19, according to the latest available numbers.

During last year's Avoid the 30 year-end crackdown, 758 people were arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Authorities recommend that people planning to imbibe during holiday festivities designate a sober driver, hire a taxi or use a community sober ride program to get home.

—City News Service contributed to this report.


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