Indio PD cracking down on impaired drivers with DUI saturation patrol
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - Drivers in Indio might notice a larger police presence Friday night. From 7 pm to 2 am, Indio Police will conduct a DUI saturation patrol, aiming to catch impaired drivers and keep roads safer.
News Channel 3 joined Officer Viktor Custic for a ride-along to see firsthand how the operation works. From scanning for erratic driving behavior to conducting traffic stops, officers remain vigilant throughout the evening. Custic noted that the operation is about more than making arrests, it's about deterring dangerous behavior before it happens.
“More of a visibility and letting officers go out there prevent DUIs and be more proactive, suppression is the way to do this.”
Viktor Custic, Indio PD traffic officer
Unlike checkpoints, officers in marked patrol cars will be roaming city streets, looking for signs of drunk or drugged driving — like swerving, speeding, or failing to signal.
The department says DUI incidents have seen an uptick in recent weeks, a trend they attribute to late summer travel and an increase in social gatherings.
During the patrol, one driver was pulled over for speeding, a common infraction that officers use to identify potential signs of impairment. Custic explained that subtle behaviors, like failing to stay in one’s lane or being unable to produce a driver’s license quickly, often signal deeper concerns.
“Most times they can’t focus... I look at their eyes, many can’t do multiple things at once.”
Viktor Custic, Indio PD traffic officer
The ultimate goal: prevention through visibility. Officers urge drivers to plan ahead — use a sober driver, call a rideshare, or stay put.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.
