Hermosa DUI Checkpoint Scheduled for Friday

The Hermosa Beach Police Department will conduct a sobriety and driver's license checkpoint Friday near the intersection of Artesia Boulevard and Prospect Avenue, police announced in a release.

According to Hermosa Beach police Sgt. Robert Higgins, the checkpoint be set up in the eastbound lanes of Artesia Boulevard west of Prospect Avenue starting at 9 p.m. and will run until 3 a.m.

Higgins said the goal of the checkpoint is to remove impaired drivers from the road and also educate drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Hermosa Beach Police Lt. Tom Thompson said that officers will contact as many drivers as possible during the checkpoint. "If we can prevent one tragedy through education and enforcement, then the checkpoint will have accomplished its main goal," said Thompson.

Friday's checkpoint is part of a larger regional campaign know as "Avoid the 100" and is also part of the larger South Bay Regional DUI Task Force.

Last weekend's countywide "Avoid the 100" efforts netted 550 arrests, . Funding for the checkpoints is provided through the California Office of Traffic Safety.