By Kimberley Sander Los Angeles County – Summer time provides much cause for celebration. From the excitement of being out of school and family vacations to the 4th of July and Labor Day holidays, summer can also be one of the deadliest times of year because of too much “celebrating”. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) states that 30 people die every day in motor vehicle accidents involving alcohol-impaired drivers, and that’s just in the United States. This past Independence Day weekend, law enforcement banded together to remove dangerous drivers from the highways before lives were lost. From 12:01 a.m. on Thurs., July 4 through midnight on Sun., July 7, Anti-DUI deployments and routine traffic stops helped to make our communities safer. According to a LA County Sheriff news release, officers representing 100 county law enforcement agencies arrested 685 individuals driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is up nearly 27% from last year. The report also stated that more Anti-DUI deployments will be in effect in Los Angeles County during the 18-day Summer Campaign, from mid August through Labor Day Weekend. You can help law enforcement by calling 9-1-1 to report a drunk or dangerous driver, and remember safety limits and other considerations like designated drivers when you are celebrating. Ultimately, a taxi is substantially less expensive, in many ways, than a DUI conviction. The CDC also states that “the average person metabolizes alcohol at the rate of about one drink per hour”. Only time will sober you up. Drinking strong coffee or taking a cold shower is just a myth. If you are serving alcohol, serve your friends and family well by never serving an underage drinker. Providing plenty of food and cutting off alcoholic beverages at least two hours before your party is over can make the difference in someone’s life. Don’t become a DUI statistic. Be safe, and enjoy a wonderful summer. For more information, visit http://www.Nixle.com or http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety.
