By Lookout Staff

February 10, 2012 -- Santa Monica Police will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Friday at an undisclosed location within the city as part of an ongoing campaign to reduce alcohol involved crashes.

At the DUI checkpoints -- which are intended to removed impaired drivers from the street and build community awareness -- officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint looking for signs of alcohol and drug impairment or both.

"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," said Sgt. Richard Lewis, the Police Department spokesman.

"All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers," Lewis said.

During the past year, DUI drivers were involved in 12 collisions that injured 19 people, said Santa Monica Police Lieutenant Jay Trisler.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, yielding cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent.

Drivers who plan on drinking should have a designated driver or call a taxicab.