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Buena Park, Calif. – On next Friday, March 21st, the Buena Park Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint at an undisclosed location from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
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,” Sergeant Connor Lee said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
Buena Park Police 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.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Getting busted for a DUI at a checkpoint in California can lead to serious consequences. Here are some of the penalties you might face:
- Fines: You could be fined between $390 and $1,000, plus additional court fees.
- Jail Time: For a first offense, you might spend between 96 hours and 6 months in county jail.
- License Suspension: Your driver’s license could be suspended for up to 6 months.
- DUI School: You may be required to attend DUI school for 3 to 9 months.
- Ignition Interlock Device (IID): You might need to install an IID in your vehicle for up to 6 months.
Penalties can be more severe if you have prior DUI convictions, if someone was injured, or if your BAC was significantly over the legal limit.
Driving under the influence of marijuana in California is treated similarly to alcohol-impaired driving. Here are the key penalties you might face if caught driving high:
- Fines: You could be fined between $390 and $1,000.
- Jail Time: Up to 6 months in jail.
- DUI School: Mandatory attendance at a DUI school for 3 or 9 months.
- License Suspension: Your driver’s license could be suspended for 6 to 10 months, though it may be converted to a restricted license.
Additionally, California law prohibits consuming cannabis while driving and having open containers of cannabis in the vehicle.
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