Checkpoint leads to eight arrests on DUI suspicion

As summer weather heats up and beachgoers stay out later, there’s the risk of more people driving under the influence, police officials say.

On Friday night, Newport Beach police tried a new location for their latest DUI checkpoint and it proved successful, police said.

“I would say it’s time well spent,” said Sgt. Tom Fischbacher

Newport Beach police netted eight drivers allegedly driving under the influence, a number higher than usual, and also towed 11 vehicles and issued 13 tickets for driving with suspended licenses or without a license, police said.

The DUI checkpoint was on northbound Superior Avenue lanes just south of Placentia Avenue from 9 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday. Checkpoints are traditionally more about education than enforcement, officials said. Officers distributed brochures outlining the dangers of drinking and driving. Saturation patrols, in which more officers are on the streets looking for DUIs, generally prove more successful for nabbing inebriated drivers, police said.

— Joseph Serna