Don”t Drink and Drive in Los Angeles this St. Patrick’s Day DUI Checkpoint NR13066cn

Los Angeles:  Police Officers arrested 14,615 DUI drivers last year in the city of Los Angeles.  During the same time period, there were 2,356 collisions involving DUI drivers. These tragic numbers demand a sober solution.  Whether meeting a few friends at the local pub after work or attending a large party, if you consume alcoholic beverages as part of your celebration, don’t drive.

This St. Patrick’s Day weekend the Los Angeles Police Department will be deploying plain clothes officers to On-Sale and Off-Sale ABC establishments to ensure alcoholic beverages are not sold to those under 21-years-of age or to customers who obviously have had too much to drink.

There will also be saturation patrols to increase the motoring safety of our residents and those who visit our City.

Don’t Drink and Drive in Los Angeles this St. Patrick’s Day
Don’t Drink and Drive in Los Angeles this St. Patrick’s Day Weekend

Don’t drink and drive at any time.  Alcohol and drugs affect judgment, reaction time, concentration, vision, and play a major role in fatal traffic collisions.  Everyone is at risk, including you and your family and friends.  Driving while under the influence of alcohol and or drugs is not an accident, it is a choice, and it is against the law.

That is why the Los Angeles Police Department is joining our law enforcement partners to remind everyone who will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day to Drive Sober or you will Get Pulled Over. For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular opportunity to celebrate with friends and family.  Unfortunately, due to impaired drivers, the festivities also become dangerous. The Los Angeles Police Department wants everyone to enjoy this St. Patrick’s Day celebration responsibly.

To avoid becoming a DUI statistic, follow these easy steps and enjoy a safe and festive holiday without jeopardizing the lives of others who may be on the road:

Drunk-Driving Prevention

Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation  to get home safely.
If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911.
And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive impaired or ride with someone who is impaired, help your friend make other arrangements. If a friend is drunk and wants to drive, don’t let it happen, even if it means taking the keys away.

Impaired Driving Creates Serious Consequences

Driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle while impaired is not worth the risk.  The consequences             are serious and can last a lifetime.  Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be significant
On average, the cost for a first time DUI is approximately $10,000.
Impaired drivers often face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, to lost wages due to time off from work.
Refusing to take a sobriety test may result in the loss of your license on the spot and additional penalties, not to mention the added embarrassment, humiliation, and consequences after informing family, friends, and employers.
Remember to designate your sober driver before the St. Patrick’s Day parties begin.

Detective William Bustos, Officer-in-Charge, Valley Traffic Detectives will be available for an interview at Victory Boulevard & 170 Fwy On ramp. He will be there March 15, 2013, at 6:00 P.M.