On Saturday, February 22, 2025, the Irvine Police Department (IPD) will conduct a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driver’s License checkpoint at Culver and Trabuco.
The checkpoint will be clearly marked and operational from 8:00 p.m. until 2 a.m.
The Irvine Police Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that does not involve a DUI:
- Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, taxicab or public transportation – to get home.
- See someone who is clearly impaired and attempting to drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
- Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
- Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.
This checkpoint is being carried out with the use of grant funding awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Police departments are required to notify the public before a checkpoint is conducted.
In California, if you’re arrested for a DUI at a checkpoint, the penalties can be quite severe. Here are the typical consequences for a first-time DUI offense:
- Fines and Fees: You may face fines ranging from $390 to $1,000, plus additional penalty assessments which can significantly increase the total amount.
- License Suspension: Your driver’s license can be suspended for six months. You may also be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle.
- DUI School: Attendance at a DUI education program, which can last from three to nine months, is usually mandatory.
- Probation: You might be placed on probation for three to five years, during which you must comply with specific conditions.
- Jail Time: Although rare for first-time offenders, you could face up to six months in county jail1.
- Repeat offenses or aggravating factors, such as having a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or causing an accident, can lead to harsher penalties.
