(FOX40.COM) — On Friday, the Elk Grove, Rocklin, and Modesto Police Departments hosted DUI checkpoints to raise awareness and get drunk drivers off the roads.

FOX40 spoke with Lt. Greg Jensen with the Rocklin Police Department about the consequences of driving while impaired.

“In 2023, 12,429 people lost their lives from drinking and driving,” Jensen said.

With temperatures rising, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that instances of drunk driving historically do the same.

“Logically, any time the weather starts warming and people have an excuse to be out and about and they’re having a good time, they might introduce alcohol to their evening,” Jensen explained. “We just want to make sure that people do it safely.”

All across Northern California, different police departments hosted DUI checkpoints — monitoring for impaired or unlicensed drivers. While localities are required to inform communities when DUI checkpoints are occurring, they may keep the location private.

On Friday, March 13, the Rancho Cordova Police Department held checkpoints. This Friday, the Rocklin, Modesto, and Elk Grove Police Departments staked out. Julissa Ortiz with Elk Grove Police Department said their goal isn’t necessarily to make arrests. It’s to raise awareness and educate.

“Our goal is simple,” Ortiz said. “We want to keep impaired drivers off the roadways. We want everyone to get home safely.”

She shared some statistics from last year.

“Our officers made 252 DUI arrests in 2025 alone,” Ortiz said. “That was an increase about a 10% increase from the year before, so that’s a reminder that impaired driving is still an issue.”

Their department has been personally impacted by these crimes. Officer Ty Lenehan was fatally hit on the job by a drunk driver in 2022.

Jenson said this topic also hits close to the Rocklin Police Department’s hearts. In 2004, Officer Matt Redding arrested a DUI suspect for killing an eight-year-old boy.

“On October 9th, the following year, 2005, on Interstate 65, he was tragically struck by a DUI driver.”

The Elk Grove Police Department screened 1000 cars at their last checkpoint — arresting one driver. Ortiz said even getting one drunk driver off the road could save lives.

“Our goal is to keep impaired drivers off the roadways, keep everyone safe,” Ortiz said. “We want to make sure everyone gets home safe.”

“Typically, DUI kills right around 10,000 people a year, and all 10,000 of those deaths, that’s, you know, family member to somebody, and they’re all preventable.”

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