The Pomona Police Department will conduct a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, August 28, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. within the city limits of Pomona.
The enforcement operation is designed to identify drivers who may be operating vehicles while impaired by alcohol or drugs, while also checking whether motorists have valid driver’s licenses.
What’s Happening
Pomona police said officers will conduct the checkpoint during overnight hours on Friday.
According to the department, DUI checkpoints and patrol operations are typically conducted in areas with a history of DUI-related collisions and arrests.
During the operation, officers will be watching for signs that a driver may be impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Drivers will also be checked for proper licensing as officers work through the checkpoint.
What Officers Will Look For
Police said the primary focus will be identifying motorists who may be driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Officers will also check drivers for proper licensing.
The checkpoint is intended to deter impaired driving and identify motorists who may pose a danger to themselves or others on the road.
Drivers approaching the checkpoint should be prepared to follow officers' instructions and provide the information or documentation required during the traffic stop.
Why DUI Checkpoints Are Used
According to the Pomona Police Department, checkpoints and DUI patrols are conducted at locations where authorities have identified a history of DUI-related crashes and arrests.
The goal is not only to make arrests but also to discourage people from driving while impaired.
Impaired driving can affect a driver's reaction time, judgment and ability to safely operate a vehicle.
Police encourage motorists who have been drinking or using drugs to avoid getting behind the wheel and instead arrange for a sober driver or another safe transportation option.
Funding for the Operation
The checkpoint is being funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, which receives support through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Grant-funded DUI enforcement operations are used by law enforcement agencies to support efforts aimed at reducing impaired-driving crashes and improving roadway safety.
The funding allows departments to conduct targeted enforcement operations and increase efforts to identify impaired drivers.
What Drivers Should Know
Motorists traveling through Pomona during the checkpoint hours should expect possible delays as officers conduct the operation.
Drivers are reminded to never drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Anyone who plans to consume alcohol should arrange transportation in advance or designate a sober driver.
Drivers should also make sure they have a valid driver's license and follow all traffic laws when traveling through the city.
A Cautious View
While DUI checkpoints are intended to improve public safety, motorists may experience delays or additional scrutiny while passing through the enforcement area. The announcement does not identify the exact checkpoint location, so drivers may encounter the operation unexpectedly within Pomona city limits. The department's stated purpose is to identify impaired and improperly licensed drivers, but motorists should still understand that being stopped at a checkpoint does not itself mean they are suspected of committing a crime.
What Happens During the Checkpoint
Officers will monitor vehicles approaching the checkpoint and look for indicators of possible impairment.
Drivers may be asked to provide information and demonstrate that they are properly licensed.
If officers observe signs that a driver may be under the influence, additional investigation may follow.
The department has not announced the exact location of the checkpoint ahead of the operation.
What We Still Don't Know
- The exact location of the checkpoint within Pomona.
- How many officers will participate in the operation.
- How many vehicles are expected to pass through the checkpoint.
- How many arrests or citations, if any, will result from the operation.
- Whether additional DUI enforcement operations will be conducted elsewhere in Pomona.
The Pomona Police Department is scheduled to conduct the DUI and driver’s license checkpoint from 9 p.m. Friday, August 28, until 3 a.m. Saturday, August 29.
Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, avoid impaired driving and use a sober driver or alternative transportation if they have consumed alcohol or drugs.