If you have plans to be out on the streets of Los Angeles this weekend, you might want to keep a close eye on your speedometer, and please don’t drive under the influence. The Los Angeles Police Department has officially launched a massive, multi-day enforcement wave aimed at getting impaired drivers off the road.
Beginning Wednesday night and running through Saturday, the LAPD is deploying a series of DUI checkpoints and “saturation patrols” across the city. According to department officials, these locations target specific neighborhoods with a high history of impaired driving-related arrests and car crashes.
A $13,500 Mistake
For most enthusiasts, $13,500 could buy a very respectable project car or a massive mountain of performance parts. For the LAPD, that is the average cost of a first-time DUI offense.
Between legal fees, court-mandated fines, increased insurance premiums, and the inevitable license suspension, the financial effect of a single night of bad decision-making is staggering. Beyond just checking for sobriety, officers will also be verifying that all motorists are properly licensed and that vehicles meet basic safety standards.
It’s Not Just About Alcohol
The LAPD is wanting to remind the car culture community that the term “impaired” doesn’t just refer to a high blood-alcohol content. With the legalization of medicinal and recreational marijuana in California, police are seeing a rise in drug-impaired driving.
Officers are trained to spot impairment from various substances, including legal cannabis and even certain over-the-counter or prescription medications that can dull your reflexes behind the wheel. If you are too buzzed to drive, the resulting legal response is exactly the same as a traditional drunk driving charge.
LAPD Enforcement Schedule: April 1–4
Here is the full breakdown of where you can expect to see increased police presence over the next few nights:
Thursday, April 2
- South Los Angeles: DUI Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Slauson Avenue and the 110 Freeway.
- Hollywood: DUI Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Santa Monica Boulevard and Bronson Avenue.
Friday, April 3
- Mar Vista: DUI Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Sawtelle and National Boulevards (west of the 405 Freeway).
- Wilmington: DUI Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Pacific Coast Highway and Frigate Street (east of the 110 Freeway).
- Figueroa Corridor: Saturation Patrol from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. covering Gage Avenue to 107th Street.
Saturday, April 4
- Valley Glen: DUI Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Victory Boulevard and Babcock Avenue.
- Harbor Division: Saturation Patrol from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. covering San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, and Terminal Island.
The best way to protect your wallet and your license is the simplest way. If you plan on joining in anything that could cloud your judgment, call a ride-share. Stay safe out there.
