DUI Checkpoint Set for Friday in Newport Beach

Newport Beach police on Friday will be looking for drunken drivers and checking drivers' licenses.

A checkpoint will be held 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Dover Drive and 16th Street, according to a Police Department release.

Though some arrests generally are made at sobriety checkpoints, the checkpoints are more about reminding drivers that it's a bad idea to drink before getting behind the wheel, the release said. Local police also conduct saturation DUI patrols on a regular basis. Anti-DUI programs are funded by a state grant, according to the release.

Through June of this year, Newport police have made 326 DUI arrests, according to Police Department statistics. During the same period last year, police made 314 DUI arrests, closing 2010 with 605 arrests, the statistics show.

Drivers who pass through the checkpoint will receive a brochure about drinking and driving. Officers also will check to make sure drivers have valid licenses and no outstanding warrants, and will check for other potential violations.