Two arrested for DUI at Santa Maria checkpoint
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Santa Maria police arrested two people for driving under the influence and cited eight others during a DUI checkpoint in the city Friday night.
The checkpoint was held on the 900 block of West Main Street from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Officers said 151 vehicles were screened in total. Eight drivers were issued citations for operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended/revoked license and two drivers were arrested for DUI.
No drivers were arrested for other criminal charges.
Police said checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.
The Santa Maria Police Department will hold another DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint in the upcoming months.
Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.