The Porterville Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint Friday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location, officials said.

Police said checkpoint locations are selected using data on crashes involving impaired drivers. The goal is to promote public safety by identifying and removing suspected impaired drivers from the road.

Police reminded drivers that impairment can result from substances other than alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can interfere with driving, and driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal despite its legal medicinal and recreational use in California.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license, according to the department.

The checkpoint is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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