Santa Rosa police plan Friday night DUI checkpoint

Santa Rosa police this weekend will be checking drivers for drug and alcohol impairment at an undisclosed location.

The checkpoint will run from 7 p.m. Friday to 2:30 a.m. Saturday somewhere within city limits, police said.

Checkpoints help get intoxicated drivers off the street and serve as a deterrent to others who might get behind the wheel when they should not, authorities say. But all it takes to avoid trouble is planning ahead, designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or car service. Beside the fact that convictions can result in costly fines and fees of up to $15,000 or more, drunken or impaired driving also leads to fatalities and injury crashes, police said.

Although alcohol consumption among drivers continues to be problem, studies also show a growing number of people involved in fatal crashes test positive for drugs, most often marijuana, police said.

“Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication - whether prescription or over-the-counter - drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects,” Santa Rosa police said in a news release.

The checkpoint is being funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

You can reach Staff Writer Mary Callahan at 707-521-5249 or mary.callahan@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MaryCallahanB.