Bakersfield Police Arrest Three in DUI Checkpoint

Officers screened 829 vehicles at a Union Avenue checkpoint and cited or impounded dozens of drivers.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bakersfield Police Arrest Three in DUI Checkpoint

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The Bakersfield Police Department arrested three drivers for allegedly driving under the influence during a checkpoint in the 200 block of Union Avenue on November 6. Officers screened 829 vehicles between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m., and two of the three arrested drivers had prior DUI convictions.

Why it matters

The operation resulted in citations for unlicensed and suspended-license driving as well as the impoundment of 12 vehicles, giving Bakersfield residents a direct view of enforcement activity on a major city roadway. It underscores how routine checkpoints are used to remove impaired and unlicensed drivers from local streets.

Three drivers were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence, and two of them had prior DUI convictions. Charges, court dates and bail status for the arrested drivers were not reported.

The players

Bakersfield Police Department

The municipal police agency serving Bakersfield, California, which ran the checkpoint and made the arrests and citations.

The details

Officers ran the checkpoint on Union Avenue from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., screening 829 vehicles in total. In addition to the three DUI arrests, officers cited 12 drivers for driving without a license, eight for driving on a suspended license, and impounded 12 vehicles.

November 6, 2026: Bakersfield Police Department conducts DUI checkpoint on Union Avenue from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Legal Context

Sobriety checkpoints like this one are authorized in California under the state's Vehicle Code when conducted under established guidelines. The operation reflects how local agencies use that framework to target impaired and unlicensed driving.

Drivers on Union Avenue and nearby streets should expect checkpoint enforcement to continue as the department runs similar operations. Motorists without a valid license or with a suspended license face citations and possible vehicle impoundment.

The takeaway

Drivers who have had a DUI conviction or a license suspension face heightened scrutiny at checkpoints, and a vehicle can be impounded even when the driver is cited rather than arrested. Confirm your license status before driving to avoid citations and towing costs.