Celebrate Independence Day Weekend Responsibly NA14123cn

The Fourth of July commemorates our great Nation’s adoption of the Declaration of Independence Day on July 4, 1776, from the Kingdom of Great Britain.  Unfortunately, Independence Day weekend has become an occasion for many community members to celebrate and drink irresponsibly.  As a result of this irresponsible behavior, community members driving under the influence (DUI) have become a tremendous public safety problem over the Independence Day weekend.  The Los Angeles Police Department recommends the followings tips to ensure everyone residing or visiting Los Angeles has a safe and sane Independence Day:

•    Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;

•    Designate a sober driver;
•    Leave your car keys at home;
•    Call a taxi, call a friend or family member, or use public transportation to ensure you get home safely;
•    Call 911 if you see a possible drunk driver on the road; and,
•    Take the car keys away from someone who is about to drive impaired and assist them in getting home safely.

In the Los Angeles Police Department’s on-going effort to save lives and keep the streets safe free of drunk drivers, the following DUI enforcement activities will be conducted over the holiday weekend:

Thursday, July 3
•    DUI Saturation Patrol in Hollywood Area from 4 P.M. to 12 A.M.
•    Sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint in Olympic Area at Vermont Avenue and 5th Street from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M.

Saturday, July 5
•    Sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint in Southwest Area at Western Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from 6 P.M. to 12 A.M.
•    Sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint in Hollywood Area at Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Avenue from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M.
•    Sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint in Central Area at Figueroa Street and 9th Street from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M.
•    Sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint in North Hollywood Area at Oxnard Street and Laurel Canyon Boulevard from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M.

Sunday, July 6
•    DUI Saturation Patrol in Central Bureau from 4 P.M. to 12 A.M
•    DUI Saturation Patrol in Mission Area from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M.

Note:
Checkpoints are subject to change or cancelation.

Why:
The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved traffic collisions.  Research shows that traffic collisions involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily.  When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.  A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent.  Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence.  Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Los Angeles Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.

MEDIA NOTES:
The aforementioned DUI enforcement activities are funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, targeting those who still don’t heed the message to designate a sober driver.  For further information, please contact Officer Don Inman, Emergency Operations Division, at (213) 486-0703.  During off hours, please contact the Department’s Media Relations Section at (213) 486-5910.