Two arrested for DUI at Santa Maria checkpoint
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Santa Maria Police Department arrested two people and handed out several citations during a DUI checkpoint Friday night.
The checkpoint was held on the 700 block of East Main Street from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Officers said a total of 144 vehicles were screened. Six drivers were cited for operating a vehicle without a valid license and two were arrested for driving under the influence.
No drivers were arrested for other criminal charges.
The police department explained checkpoint locations are chosen 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.
Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.