By Lookout Staff

August 14, 2012 -- Santa Monica Police will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Saturday evening at an undisclosed location in the city.

The checkpoint is part of an ongoing campaign to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes. 

"DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and remove them from the street, as well as bring awareness to our community of the dangers of impaired driving," said Sgt. Richard Lewis, the Police Department spokesman..

Officers will be checking drivers passing through the checkpoint looking for signs that they have been impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Those caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, court probation and other expenses that can exceed $10,000, police said.

“Over the course of the past year, DUI drivers were involved in 12 collisions, which injured 19 people,” said Santa Monica Police Lieutenant Jay Trisler.

Checkpoints are the most effective way to gauge DUI enforcement strategies, and save $6 for every $1 spent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Santa Monica Police Department reminds drivers if you plan on drinking, have a designated driver or call a taxi cab to take you safely home.

For more information please contact Sergeant Phillbo Rubish at the Santa Monica Police Department Traffic Section at    310-458-8950, or the Public Information Officer, Sergeant Richard Lewis at 310-458-8462.

Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.