The Fresno Police Department will step up enforcement efforts this Fourth of July, deploying additional patrols and setting up a DUI checkpoint to keep impaired drivers off city streets.

The checkpoint will operate from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. at an undisclosed location, police said Wednesday. Officers will be screening for drivers under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, and other substances — including prescription and over-the-counter medications that may impair driving.

The department’s announcement follows concerning national and state statistics. In 2023, 617 people were killed in traffic collisions over the Independence Day holiday, with alcohol involved in 38% of the deaths, according to Fresno police. In California, 68 people died in crashes during the same period, and nearly half of those killed were not wearing seat belts, the California Highway Patrol reported.

CHP also reported 1,224 DUI arrests statewide over last year’s 102-hour holiday weekend — averaging one arrest every five minutes. This year’s Maximum Enforcement Period begins Wednesday evening and runs through late Sunday.

Checkpoint locations are determined using crash data that highlights areas with a high number of DUI-related incidents. Fresno police emphasized that the goal is to deter impaired driving as much as it is to make arrests.

A first-time DUI conviction can result in up to $13,500 in fines and penalties, along with a suspended license, police warned.

Authorities are encouraging residents to plan ahead for a safe holiday by designating a sober driver, using ride-share apps, calling a cab, or using public transit.

The enforcement campaign is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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