Pasadena Police Conducting DUI Checkpoint Friday

Those who plan to start drinking in Cinco de Mayo early, beware.

Pasadena Police announced they will be conducting a DUI checkpoint in the city Friday from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.

The exact location of the checkpoint has not been disclosed but “checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a Pasadena Police Department statement noted. “Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.”

While it may seem odd to publicize a checkpoint ahead of time, research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough, the Pasadena Police Department shared.

More important points from the Pasadena Police Department:

• Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

• In 2010, over 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher. In California, this deadly crime led to 791 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver. “Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 3 lives and resulted in 53 injury crashes harming 68 of our friends and neighbors,” said Pasadena Police Chief Phil Sanchez.

• If you see a drunk driver – Call 9-1-1.

Do you have plans for a designated driver this weekend?