The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will conduct a sobriety/driver license checkpoint overnight, 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, near Isla Vista in the unincorporated area of Santa Barbara County.

Motorists approaching the checkpoint will see informational signs advising them that a sobriety checkpoint is ahead.

Once diverted into the lane, motorists will be detained only a few moments while an officer explains the purpose of the checkpoint and checks their driver license.

CHP sobriety checkpoints are conducted in accordance with the guidelines for checkpoint operations outlined in the California Supreme Court decision, Ingersoll vs. Palmer.

Traffic volume permitting, all vehicles will be checked. If traffic volume becomes too heavy, vehicles to be checked will be selected by a pre-set standard (such as every third, fifth, or 10th vehicle) to assure objectivity.

Placing checkpoints on roads identified with driving under the influence problems and detaining drivers for a very limited time helps to assure the CHP conforms to the guidelines.

“Checkpoints tend to reduce the number of impaired drivers on the road, even though arrest totals do not rise dramatically. A major value of checkpoints is their psychological influence,” the CHP said.