With St. Patrick’s Day this weekend, the Turlock Police Department reminds all citizens to avoid a driving under the influence arrest by making transportation arrangements prior to celebrating the holiday.

The Turlock Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on March 16 at an undisclosed location within Turlock city limits between the hours of 8 p.m. and 3 a.m.

According to the Turlock Police Department, the deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints has proven to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug-involved crashes. When DUI checkpoints are well-publicized, crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent.

“DUI checkpoints have been an essential part of the phenomenal reduction in DUI deaths that we witnessed in 2006 in California,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “But since the tragedy of DUI accounts for nearly one third of traffic fatalities, Turlock needs the high visibility enforcement and public awareness that checkpoints provide.”

Drivers who pass through the checkpoint will be examined for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Officers will also check drivers for proper licensing.

Specially trained officers will also be present to evaluate those suspected of driving under the influence.

Anyone caught driving under the influence can expect jail time, license suspension, insurance increases, as well as fines, DUI classes and other expenses that can easily exceed $10,000.

The Turlock Police Department received funding for the checkpoint through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, via the National Highway Safety Administration.