Oakland's streets are set for a crackdown as the police department gears up for a DUI blitz on May 4. The sobering operation will unfold from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., though the exact location remains under wraps. According to an Oakland Police Department Facebook post, the checkpoint spot is strategic, selected based on data reflecting previous impaired driving crashes, with an endgame to curb the risk and enhance public safety.

Acting Lieutenant Greg Bellusa of the Oakland PD underscored the dangers of driving while under the influence, saying, "Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk." Bellusa's statement, obtained from the department's Facebook announcement, reinforces the stance that checkpoints are a preventive strike against potential tragedies on the road. The department is reminding drivers that it isn't just boozed that can get you busted—they're casting a wider net to include prescription meds, over-the-counter concoctions, and, despite its legal status, marijuana when it impedes your ability to drive.

Those who gamble with the law and drive under the influence will face more than a slap on the wrist. A first-time DUI charge carries a hefty price—a suspended license and a pile of fines and penalties that average out to an eye-watering $13,500. It's a hole in the pocket that serves as a sober reminder of the costly impact of impaired driving, which extends beyond monetary measures.

The crackdown isn't without its financial backers. Oakland's DUI enforcement is buoyed by grant money from the California Office of Traffic Safety, which gets its funding through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This infusion of resources is a testament to the joint efforts to make the streets safer for everyone.