DUI & License Patrol in El Cerrito Friday/Saturday

Update, Dec. 21: El Cerrito police canceled their planned checkpoint – reported in the story below – because of today's "inclement weather," the department announced today. Instead they will be doing "DUI saturation patrol," they said.

As part of a statewide effort to reduce deaths and injuries caused by driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, El Cerrito police will conduct a checkpoint Friday night and early Saturday morning for DUI drivers or drivers without a license.

The checkpoint will take place between 8:30 p.m. Friday and 3 a.m. Saturday, police said.

"The focus of the checkpoint will be the northern end of the City," the police department said in an announcement. "The El Cerrito Police Department's checkpoint is part of the Traffic Safety Unit's on-going educational and enforcement campaign."

Funding for the effort comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety, in coordination with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"Please designate a sober driver as the Holiday weekend approaches and remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving," the police announcement said.

The state Office of Traffic Safety said it is funding more than 325 checkpoints and hundreds of saturation patrols through January 1 in this year's holiday DUI crackdown.

“Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not only illegal, but incredibly dangerous,” Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher Murphy said in a news release Tuesday. “Law enforcement will be out in force with a commitment to stopping those who are endangering themselves and others by driving while impaired. Checkpoints, strategically targeted patrols, and an increase in police presence on our roadways will help ensure that these offenders are caught and arrested.”