Five arrested during DUI checkpoint in Santa Maria

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Santa Maria police arrested five people, including one for DUI, during a DUI checkpoint in the city on Friday.

The checkpoint was held on the 500 block of East Main Street from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Four drivers were cited for operating a vehicle without a license or with a suspended/revoked license. One person was arrested for driving under the influence.

A total of 196 vehicles were screened during the event.

The police department said 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.

Santa Maria police said they plan to hold another DUI/Driver's License checkpoint in the coming months.

Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.