Staff Reports LA County – The Memorial Day Weekend Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special “Avoid the 100 DUI” campaign, overnight in Los Angeles County. From 12:01 a.m. on Fri. May 24, through midnight on Sat. May 25, officers representing 100 county law enforcement agencies have arrested about 529 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This number may increase due to some agencies that have yet to report their arrests. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. Alcohol impaired deaths make up the largest number of vehicle fatalities, with 31 percent of all vehicle fatalities caused by a drunk driver. The LA County Sheriff’s Department objective is to send out a clear message by advocating “Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest” to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs. In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes, DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving. A DUI checkpoint is an effective and proven method in lowering alcohol related traffic deaths. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and others experts believe motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving. Statewide, overall traffic deaths have declined 23 percent from 3,995 in 2007 to 3,081 in 2009 and total traffic fatalities are at their lowest level in six decades. DUI deaths have declined from 1,132 in 2007 to 950 in 2009, which is a decrease of over 16 percent. Law enforcement officials are continuing DUI efforts throughout the county and region. CHP throughout the state also had all available officers patrolling freeways and county roads during the Memorial Day weekend. “Saving lives, reducing injuries, traffic collisions and property damage is important work,” said Sheriff Lee Baca in a press release. “Every life is a life worth saving and we will do our utmost to help keep the public safe.” Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911. As a driver, plan ahead with these TIPS: – Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before the drinking begins – Identify and provide free non-alcoholic drinks or other promotional items to the Designated Driver – Party hosts and servers must limit drinks to your guests or patrons. Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours. – Cut back on the amount of drinks you plan to bring to the party – and provide plenty of food. Before you drive under the influence, also remember that the high cost of a first time DUI conviction could cost someone anywhere between $6,000 to $10,000 when all the potential fines, fees, classes, lawyers, work days missed, and increased insurance for years to come have been factored in. The LA County Sheriff’s Department encourages sober designated drivers. Funding for “Avoid the 100 DUI” program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Avoid programs, named for the number of police agencies in each county in California, will also concentrate crackdowns on the Independence Day holiday period as well as the 18-Day August/Labor Day period. In recognition that the summer season is among the deadliest time of the year, law enforcement agencies throughout the county will be making every effort to arrest drunk drivers before another life is lost.
