Full Notification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 21, 2025

Santa Maria Police Department to Conduct DUI Checkpoint on March 22


Santa Maria, Calif. – The Santa Maria Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location.
Checkpoint locations are selected based on data identifying areas with a high incidence of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary goal of these checkpoints is to enhance public safety by identifying and removing impaired drivers from the road.

“Impaired driving poses a serious risk to everyone on the road,” said Traffic Sergeant Shane Armstrong. “Any measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers contribute to safer streets for our community.”

The Santa Maria Police Department reminds the public that impairment isn’t limited to alcohol. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. Additionally, while medicinal and recreational marijuana use is legal in California, driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.
Drivers convicted of a first-time DUI can face fines and penalties averaging $13,500, along with a suspended driver’s license.

This program is funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.


Prepared by:
SMPD Traffic Sergeant Shane Armstrong