BLM schedules DUI checkpoints on public land within Imperial County

[DunePilot]

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Announcement
BLM California Desert District

Media Contact: Julia Mogen; 760-835-4612; [email protected]

December 19, 2024

BLM schedules DUI checkpoints on public land within Imperial County​

EL CENTRO, CA – Bureau of Land Management Law Enforcement Rangers will conduct driving under the influence (DUI) and registration checkpoints from noon to 2 a.m., Dec. 27 to Dec. 31, 2024, on BLM-managed public lands in Imperial County, within the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.

Officers will be on the lookout for signs of alcohol and drug impairment, while verifying proper registration and licensing where required. DUI checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics, the frequency of DUI arrests and overall safety considerations. These measures aim to deter impaired driving both on and off-road to keep visitors safe on public lands.

“The BLM encourages everyone to enjoy a fun and safe New Years holiday,” said El Centro Field Manager Matthew Lohr. “Please remember that DUI laws apply both on and off the road. Always designate a sober driver and never drink and ride.”

The BLM reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Law Enforcement Rangers are reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1.’ For more information, visit www.blm.gov and the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area’s Facebook page.

-BLM-​

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

El Centro Field Office, 1661 S 4th St., El Centro, CA 92243

Follow the Bureau of Land Management California on X, Facebook, and Flickr​

 

[Icky]

Basically sand highway at Osborne, sometimes at vendors and you're likely to get pulled over at the drags

 

[adam909]

They did this a couple years ago. The smart people just turned into the dunes. what a waste of time.

 

[Wave Hi]

I thought this was a "Black Lives Matter" post. Oh Well.!!!

 

[Bpracing1127]

What’s worse BLM or TSA

 

[crzy2bealive]

They did this a couple years ago. The smart people just turned into the dunes. what a waste of time.

Most people who are out there cant dune lol

 

[77charger]

im not gonna worry ill be through the dunes and wont spill my beer.These are for sand hwy and for the ones who cant figure out how to go through the dunes because there are no shown trails on their gps app LOL.

 

[Gelcoater]

They did this a couple years ago. The smart people just turned into the dunes. what a waste of time.

Smart people wouldn’t be on sand highway to begin with.

For any of you guys that will be there take note at the drags by the ranger station.
If you take your truck off gecko road to park in the sand and watch the drags your truck needs a whip flag.
If you don’t have one it’s an invitation to be visited by the BLM.

They also hang out a ways from the drag with binoculars looking for people drinking.

 

[DunePilot]

Smart people wouldn’t be on sand highway to begin with.

For any of you guys that will be there take note at the drags by the ranger station.
If you take your truck off gecko road to park in the sand and watch the drags your truck needs a whip flag.
If you don’t have one it’s an invitation to be visited by the BLM.

They also hang out a ways from the drag with binoculars looking for people drinking.

All that is true. Also keep in mind that smoking pot on federal lands carries the same penalty as cocaine and the like. Just because it's legal in California does not mean it's legal on federally managed lands.

 

[Gelcoater]

All that is true. Also keep in mind that smoking pot on federal lands carries the same penalty as cocaine and the like. Just because it's legal in California does not mean it's legal on federally managed lands.

More truth!

The Fed needs to get off their ass on this and either decriminalize or hold firm and start against the states that aren’t following Fed law.
Then we go into States Rights..


I’ve had way more positive experience (hold that thought)with BLM guys at Glamis vs negative.

The thing is? Something rubs me the wrong way with rangers just rolling into camp somewhat like Nazis

After they’ve seen my papers....registration good on all machines, my camping permit, my camp is cleaner than most because I pick up other people’s trash in the place I’m camping.
A couple have commended us for it,.

You offer a water, a Dr Pepper, etc

Then one of them says “hey, is that a banshee? What’s up with the front end?”
And you have to explain a J arm banshee vs the double A arm.

After that. They see you out? They just waive

 

[77charger]

More truth!

The Fed needs to get off their ass on this and either decriminalize or hold firm and start against the states that aren’t following Fed law.
Then we go into States Rights..


I’ve had way more positive experience (hold that thought)with BLM guys at Glamis vs negative.

The thing is? Something rubs me the wrong way with rangers just rolling into camp somewhat like Nazis

After they’ve seen my papers....registration good on all machines, my camping permit, my camp is cleaner than most because I pick up other people’s trash in the place I’m camping.
A couple have commended us for it,.

You offer a water, a Dr Pepper, etc

Then one of them says “hey, is that a banshee? What’s up with the front end?”
And you have to explain a J arm banshee vs the double A arm.

After that. They see you out? They just waive

we camp way off in the distance will get rangers every big weekend that come to check permits and have been good since everything is in compliance some may stay and chat a bit.

Have also dealt with the heavy handed ones too while parked or just start up my old atc and move 5 ft.imo just depends on where you are stopped at with them.I prefer to avoid them and stay out of the drags for sure since they are looking for any reason to stop you.

As for the weed they will look for it and crazy how many forget or dont know about federal law and think just because it is legal in ca they are good theres a forest ranger who gets dune patrol duty and now has a dog he will walk the dog around camp or truck at every stop.Luckily i dont care for weed just love my beer.