The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office will conduct DUI patrols in Lake Elsinore on Thursday, Nov. 12, looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The patrols will be conducted by deputies from the Lake Elsinore Station as part of an effort to prevent impaired driving.
The Sheriff’s Office reminded drivers that impairment is not limited to alcohol. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can affect a person’s ability to drive safely. Drivers should follow medication instructions and read warning labels before getting behind the wheel.
Although medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal in California, driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Drivers convicted of a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, along with a suspended license, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
