Drivers traveling through Folsom on St. Patrick’s Day should expect an increased focus on impaired driving enforcement as the Folsom Police Department prepares to conduct a DUI checkpoint during the evening hours of March 17.
Police officials announced the checkpoint will take place at an undisclosed location within the city, a common practice intended to maximize deterrence while allowing officers to monitor for impaired drivers. The location was selected based on historical data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes in the area.
According to the department, the primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to enhance public safety by removing suspected impaired drivers from the road before they can cause harm.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Folsom Police Department Sgt. Paul Rice said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”
Police are also reminding residents that driving impairment is not limited to alcohol consumption. Certain prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can interfere with a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. While both medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal in California, officials emphasize that driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.
Drivers arrested for a first-time DUI offense can face substantial penalties. According to police, the average cost of a first-time DUI conviction in California is approximately $13,500 in fines and penalties, along with a suspended driver’s license and other potential consequences.
Law enforcement officials encourage residents celebrating St. Patrick’s Day to plan ahead by designating a sober driver, using ride-share services, or arranging alternative transportation.
The DUI checkpoint program is funded through a grant from the California Highway Patrol’s Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program, which supports enforcement and public safety efforts aimed at reducing impaired driving across the state.
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