DUI checkpoint yields nine license citations

There were no arrests for driving under the influence during a Friday night checkpoint by police in Costa Mesa, police officials said.

About 950 vehicles passed through a DUI checkpoint at 20th Street and Placentia Avenue on Friday night with 306 of them being screened by police, said Sgt. Robert Sharpnack. Of those, 18 drivers were subjected to further investigation for possibly driving under the influence, but none were arrested. Five drivers were cited for not having a license and four more for having a suspended license, police said.

Nine vehicles were impounded and a total of 15 tickets were issued.

Police said they are scheduling another DUI checkpoint for March, and similar to this one, police will be patrolling adjacent streets looking for impaired drivers trying to avoid being stopped.

Funding for the checkpoint was provided by the state’s Office of Traffic Safety.

— Joseph Serna