DUI Checkpoints in South Lake Tahoe on Friday and Saturday

The California Highway Patrol, Nevada Highway Patrol and Douglas County Sheriff's Office will be joining forces over the holiday weekend in South Lake Tahoe by conducting sobriety, car safety and driver's license checkpoints on both sides of the state line.

The California Highway Patrol will have their checkpoint in Meyers on Saturday, July 5 on U.S. Highway 50 between Pioneer Trail and State Route 89. It will be staffed by officers who are trained in the detection of alcohol and/or drug impaired drivers.

Officers from DCSO and NHP will be conducting a DUI road block on US Highway 50 in Douglas County on Friday afternoon and evening. Those motorists who show signs of alcohol and/or drug use will be directed to the secondary screening area for further evaluation according to the NHP. Once at the secondary screening area, standardized field sobriety tests will be administered and those who fail these tests will be placed under arrest. They will look for any traffic laws that are being ignored or broken such as drivers and passengers not wearing a seat belt, not utilizing a required child safety seat for a child riding in the vehicle, or talking or texting on a cell phone that is not hands-free.

"We would like everyone to have a safe and enjoyable weekend as many will be celebrating America’s birthday in various ways," said NHP Trooper David Gibson, "If alcohol is going to be consumed, please do not operate a motor vehicle. With the high volume of traffic expected on Nevada’s roadways and highways, especially on the evening of the 4th, we want everyone to enjoy the festivities safely and responsibly. Those planning on consuming alcohol should utilize public transportation or identify a safe and sober driver; not the person in the group who has consumed the least amount of alcohol."

“Our goal is to insure the safe passage of each and every motorist by targeting roads where there is a high frequency of drunk driving," said CHP Lieutenant Commander Chris Lane. "A sobriety checkpoint is an effective tool for achieving this goal and is designed to augment existing patrol operations. By publicizing our efforts we believe that we can deter motorists from drinking and driving."

Lt. Lane emphasized, “Always designate a sober driver, and if you see a drunk driver on the road, immediately call 911. Drunk drivers are a danger to everyone on and around our highways. You can help us send a clear message to those considering mixing alcohol and/or drugs with driving - We will be looking for you, you will be caught.”

Funding for checkpoints come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.