The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department conducted a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint in West Hollywood on Friday night from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The checkpoint took place on the west side of San Vicente Boulevard, south of Ashcroft Avenue, and north of Beverly Boulevard in the Cedars Sinai parking lot.
“We had 1,380 vehicles come through the checkpoint and 948 of them were screened for DUI,” said Sergeant Matthew Davis of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. “There were two adults arrested for being under the influence of alcohol. We also arrested, cited, and released 9 adult drivers for various driving license violation, such as driving on a suspended license.”
West Hollywood DUI Checkpoint – WEHO TIMESThe Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.
Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
West Hollywood DUI Checkpoint – WEHO TIMESFunding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The West Hollywood Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has the following safety tips:
- Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk — or worse, the risk of having a crash while driving.
- If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.
- If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, use public transportation or call one of your local sober ride home programs.
Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. - If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department also reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or”operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.
If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home.
One transportation alternative for people enjoying the multitude of entertainment venues in West Hollywood is The PickUp, which is a cool, convenient, and free alternative to driving. For details, please visit www.wehopickup.com. In addition, Cityline operates free Saturday evening service to and from Hollywood and Highland where riders can connect with the Metro Red Line. For details, please visit www.weho.org/cityline.
I still do not understand why people drink & drive. It is so selfish. Call Lyft, Uber, a taxi or take public transportation. Cheaper than a DUI & possible medical bills, insurance going.up.
I’m glad to see these happening again after they took a few years off. The deterrent effect of driving through one of these or seeing it happening probably makes lots of people think twice about drinking and driving.