Authorities to conduct DUI checkpoint in North County over the weekend

Sep 5, 2025 - 13:00

POWAY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The San Diego County Sheriff's Office has announced plans to conduct a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) sobriety checkpoint on Saturday, Sept. 6 at an undisclosed location in North County.

The FOX 5/KUSI video above provides driving safety tips

According to officials, the checkpoint will be located in the city of Poway. It aims to identify and remove impaired drivers from the roadway in an effort to prevent crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by intoxicated driving.

Authorities say the checkpoint location is chosen based on areas with a history of DUI-related arrests. While the exact location has not been disclosed to the public, vehicles passing through will be screened for drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The sheriff's office is also reminding drivers that “DUI doesn’t just mean booze.” It also includes prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label. Driving while under the influence of marijuana is also considered a DUI.

"Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not! Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500," officials with the sheriff's department stated. "This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension, and other expenses not to mention possible jail time."

Authorities provided the following recommendations to prevent DUI:

Always use a designated sober driver -- a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation -- to get home.
See someone who is clearly impaired try and drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
Report drunk drivers. Call 9-1-1.
Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks, monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

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