Sheriff's Dept. to Conduct DUI Checkpoint in Nearby West Hollywood

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has announced it will, on Friday, conduct a checkpoint watching for those driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and/or without licenses in West Hollywood.

The locations of DUI/CDL checkpoints are based on DUI-related activity in the area. Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alchohol and/or drugs will be arrested, according to the sheriff's statement.

By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and others experts believe motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving.

Statewide, overall traffic deaths have declined 23 percent from 3,995 in 2007 to 3,081 in 2009 and total traffic fatalities are at their lowest level in six decades. DUI deaths have declined from 1,132 in 2007 to 950 in 2009, which is a decrease of over 16 percent, the sheriff's department said.

Funding for these operations is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety http://www.ots.ca.gov/ through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration http://www.nhtsa.gov/.

The checkpoint, whose specific location was not disclosed, will take place from 7 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday.