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As part of an ongoing effort to get intoxicated drivers off the roads and educate the public about the hazards of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the Los Angeles Police Department has announced a handful of planned sobriety and driver's license checkpoints around the city for the upcoming Thanksgiving long weekend.
The LAPD has provided the following time and location information about checkpoints:
Sobriety & Driver’s License Checkpoint
Friday, November 23, 2012, 8 p.m. to Saturday, November 30, 2012, 2 a.m.
Manchester Avenue at Hoover Street
Sobriety & Driver’s License Checkpoint
Friday, November 23, 2012, 6 p.m. to Saturday, November 24, 2012, 12 a.m.
Western Avenue at Browning Boulevard
DUI Saturation Patrol
Friday, November 23, 2012, 2 to 8 p.m.
Hollenbeck Area
Sobriety & Driver’s License Checkpoint
Saturday, November 24, 2012, 7 p.m. to Sunday, November 25, 2012, 1 a.m.
Florence Avenue at Broadway
DUI Saturation Patrol
Saturday, November 24, 2012, 6 p.m. to Sunday, November 25, 2012, 2 a.m.
Hollywood Area
DUI Saturation Patrol
Saturday, November 24, 2012, 6 p.m. to Sunday, November 25, 2012, 2 a.m.
Southwest Area
The LAPD explains that they situate checkpoints "in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public." Drivers who pass through will be evaluated for evidence of drug and/or alcohol impairment. Motorists caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, court probation and other expenses, notes the LAPD.
Bottom line: Be smart! If you're headed out anywhere this weekend and plan on drinking, use a designated driver, take public transit, or call a cab.
For more on why the LAPD shares checkpoint schedules and locations with the media, see our 2010 interview with Chief Charlie Beck.
