SR police to set up St. Paddy's Day DUI checkpoint

<p>Santa Rosa police will set up a drunken driving checkpoint in town on St. Patrick's Day, police officials reported Tuesday.</p><p>The checkpoint will run from 7 p.m. March 17 to 2 a.m. March 18. </p><p>Police departments don't disclose the location of a checkpoint in advance.</p><p>Checkpoints have become standard for many high traffic areas during holiday periods. Traffic Sgt. Rich Celli said he announced the police department's plan a week early, hoping to encourage drivers planning to be out celebrating that night to stay sober or get a ride with a designated sober driver.</p><p>Hundreds of drivers typically are stopped in such checkpoints as officers do a quick evaluation on whether the person might be intoxicated. A more thorough test will be given to drivers suspected of being impaired. Licenses also will be checked.</p><p>The California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will fund the checkpoint.</p>