The San Diego Sheriff's Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint on Friday, May 28, 2021, at an undisclosed location within the San Marcos city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Checkpoints like this one are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Deputies will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, while also checking drivers for proper licensing.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

In 2018, 1,069 people were killed on California roads in crashes involving drivers who had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit (.08 or above).  The city of San Marcos has a high number of alcohol-related traffic incidents. During the past three years, over 291 drivers have been arrested for DUI in San Marcos. During that time, approximately 132 DUI collisions have occurred in San Marcos.

The Sheriff's Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:

 - Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation – to get home.

 - See Someone who is clearly impaired try and drive?  Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.

 - Report drunk drivers – Call 911.

 - Hosting a party?  Offer non-alcoholic drinks. Monitor who are drinking and how they are getting home.

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not! Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, driver's license suspension and other expenses, not to mention possible jail time.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

You may direct any questions regarding the checkpoint to Sergeant Charles Morreale (760) 510-5295