Poway-based sheriff’s deputies arrested five suspected impaired drivers in Poway during a weekend DUI and driver safety checkpoint on Poway Road, just south of Espola Road.

Deputies also made three arrests for drug possession and one arrest for possession of a weapon.

The checkpoint, manned from Saturday night until 2:30 a.m. Sunday by 15 Poway deputies, was one of several scheduled randomly throughout the year, according to Deputy Mark Tally from that station.

About 34 of the 617 drivers who passed through the checkpoint were directed to the secondary area for further evaluation, he said.

Deputies issues two citations for those driving with a suspended license; four citations for unlicensed drivers; two citations for provisional license violations; three citations for drivers who did not have their driver’s license with them; and one citation to a passenger in possession of an open container of alcohol.

At other locales within the sheriff’s jurisdiction, deputies were conducting a similar operation, checking for: drivers appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs; driving without a valid driver’s license or proof of insurance; possession of illegal items, such as drugs or weapons; or various safety infractions, such as broken tail lights and other faulty equipment.

“The purpose of the checkpoint is to remove impaired drivers, or unsafe drivers, from the roadway and to educate the public, which increases the safety of all drivers,” Tally said.

Tally said that three additional DUI arrests were made by Poway deputies on patrol in the community during the checkpoint hours.