LAPD Announce DUI Saturation Patrol

What:  
DUI Saturation Patrol
 
When:
Sunday, February 13, 2011
12 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Where:
San Pedro, California

Who:
Emergency Operations Division

Why:
Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s DUI Enforcement Team will be deploying this weekend to stop and arrest impaired drivers in the Department’s ongoing traffic safety campaign.  

“For those who don’t care about their own safety or the safety of others, BEWARE – We’re looking for you,” said Sergeant Sean Karmody, Emergency Operations Division (EOD).  “If we catch you behind the wheel of your car, truck or ride your motorcycle buzzed, you will go to jail this weekend.”

Los Angeles Police Department will be conducting another “Zero Tolerance” DUI Saturation Patrol, targeting those who still don’t heed the message to designate a sober driver before their celebrations begin.  Funding for this program is through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Statewide, overall traffic deaths declined by 23 percent, from 3,995 in 2007 to 3,081 in 2009.  Total traffic fatalities are at their lowest levels in six decades.  DUI deaths declined by 16 percent from 1,132 in 2007 to 950 in 2009.  Alcohol impaired deaths still make up the largest category of overall vehicle fatalities, with 31 percent of all deaths caused by a drunk driver.

“Everyone in California should be heartened with these declines,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).  “But as encouraging as this is, we can’t let up on the efforts to encourage and support traffic safety.  Please, help make your community safe; if you see a Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.”

MEDIA NOTES:
To schedule an interview regarding the Los Angeles Police Department’s Traffic Coordination Section, please contact Officer Don Inman, EOD, at (213) 486-0703.  To schedule an interview regarding impaired driving efforts and programs in California please contact Chris Cochran, California Office of Traffic Safety at (916) 905-3063 or via email at ccochran@ots.ca.gov.