
Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Tom Anderson
File # N/A
Update:
Coachella, Calif.—The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Thermal Station, conducted a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday, September 15, 2023. The checkpoint was on Cesar Chavez Street, north of Avenue 50, in the city of Coachella, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. The checkpoint yielded the following results:
- 622 vehicles screened
- 67 vehicles screened in secondary inspection
- 4 Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) conducted
- 0 arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol
- 0 arrested for driving under the influence of drugs
- 1 arrested for driving with a suspended driver’s license
- 27 citations issued for driving without a driver’s license
- 4 vehicles were stored or impounded
- 2 narcotics violations
- 2 probation violations
- 0 arrested for Felony warrants
- 9 citations issued for various traffic violations
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads.
Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Details:
Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Thermal Station, Holding Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Checkpoint September 15, 2023
Coachella, Calif. – On September 15, 2023, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Thermal Station, will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM at an undisclosed location within the city of Coachella.
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Deputy Yadira Perez said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office 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.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.


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