Santa Rosa Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint

The checkpoint aims to deter impaired driving and improve road safety in the region.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:11pm

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An extreme close-up of a car key reflecting a harsh, bright light, conceptually representing the risks of impaired driving.A DUI checkpoint aims to deter dangerous behavior and remove suspected impaired drivers from the roads, underscoring the ongoing public safety concerns around drunk and drugged driving.Santa Rosa Today

The Santa Rosa Police Department has announced plans to conduct a DUI checkpoint this Friday night into early Saturday morning. The checkpoint is part of an ongoing effort to reduce impaired driving and comes just one week after a fatal crash in Novato where the teenage driver was reportedly under the influence.

Why it matters

Impaired driving remains a serious public safety concern in the region, with the Novato crash highlighting the need for continued enforcement and prevention efforts. DUI checkpoints have been shown to be an effective tool in deterring dangerous behavior and removing suspected impaired drivers from the roads.

The details

The checkpoint will run from 6 PM on Friday, April 17 to 2 AM on Saturday, April 18 at an undisclosed location in Santa Rosa. It is funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Police select checkpoint locations based on data showing a history of crashes involving impaired drivers, with the primary goal of deterring dangerous behavior and removing suspected impaired drivers from the roads.

  • The checkpoint is scheduled from 6 PM on Friday, April 17 to 2 AM on Saturday, April 18.
  • It comes one week after a fatal crash in Novato where the teenage driver was reportedly under the influence.

The players

Santa Rosa Police Department

The local law enforcement agency conducting the DUI checkpoint as part of an ongoing effort to improve road safety and reduce impaired driving in the region.

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What’s next

The Santa Rosa Police Department will continue to monitor traffic patterns and crash data to determine future checkpoint locations and timing.

The takeaway

DUI checkpoints remain an important tool for law enforcement to deter impaired driving and improve overall road safety in the community. This checkpoint is part of the department's ongoing efforts to address a persistent public safety issue.