Local authorities stepping up DUI enforcement during holiday season

As individuals put together to rejoice the vacations, native regulation enforcement companies are reminding the general public to be accountable earlier than getting behind the wheel.

Authorities have plans to crack down on drivers working autos whereas drunk or medicine this vacation season.

The Costa Mesa and Fountain Valley police departments each introduced plans to execute DUI checkpoints at undisclosed places inside their metropolis limits on Friday night. One other checkpoint was additionally carried out in Newport Seashore final Friday.

“These checkpoints, funded by the California Workplace of Site visitors Security, are important to preserving the group protected,” Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Dan Miles mentioned.

There have been 11,654 deaths throughout the nation attributed to automotive crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers in 2020, in response to the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration.

“Our choice is to have zero DUI drivers on our roadways and that those that determine to drink accomplish that responsibly by at all times having a delegated driver,” Costa Mesa Police Chief Ron Lawrence mentioned. “DUI checkpoints are a strategy to educate our group, and our hope is individuals study to plan forward with different transportation when out consuming.”

Huntington Seashore has additionally scheduled a checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29. An space’s historical past of DUI visitors collisions and arrests will issue into the location of the checkpoint, officers mentioned.

People charged with driving drunk or medicine obtain a median of $13,500 in fines and a suspended license.

“The vacations are a particular time of 12 months for a lot of, and we wish drivers to behave responsibly,” Fountain Valley Police Sgt. Brian Mosher mentioned. “This enforcement interval permits us to get the message out that driving impaired is an unlawful, mindless habits that takes lives.”

Along with their checkpoints, the Fountain Valley and Newport Seashore police departments acknowledged they are going to have extra officers on patrol searching for impaired drivers by way of New Yr’s Day.

Anybody with plans to drink or take drugs that might adversely affect their means to drive is suggested to remain dwelling. Law enforcement officials are additionally reminding the general public that whereas marijuana is authorized, it’s unlawful to drive whereas underneath the affect of marijuana.

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