The LAPD will Be Out in Full Force to Catch Drunk Drivers NA15159ml

As summer comes to an end, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is joining the National “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign to combat drunk driving. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” is an 18-day, high-visibility campaign coordinated by the California Office of Traffic Safety to curb impaired driving and save lives. From August 21 to September 7 (Labor Day), law enforcement partners throughout Los Angeles County, the State of California and Nationwide will have zero tolerance for drunk driving. The campaign seeks to drastically reduce the toll of drunk driving through heightened state and national public service announcements, checkpoints and increased deployment of officers on the road.

The impact of drunk driving continues to devastating. In 2013, there were 10,076 people killed in drunk-driving crashes, which represents almost a third of all traffic fatalities according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In California, 867 people died in drunk driving collisions according to NHTSA. Thirty-eight percent of crash fatalities on Labor Day weekend that year involved drunk drivers with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. And we’re not just talking about a little bit of alcohol, either. It was revealed that more than a quarter (27 percent) of the crash fatalities during Labor Day weekend involved drivers with BACs of .15 or higher, which almost twice the illegal limit!

In anticipation of the end of summer and Labor Day weekend, the LAPD will be conducting the following DUI-related enforcement activities:

Thursday, August 20 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Sunset Boulevard & Laveta Terrace from 8 P.M. to 1 A.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in Central Bureau from 6 P.M. to 2 A.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in Wilshire Area from 6 P.M. to 2 A.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in Pacific Area from 7 P.M. to 3 A.M.

Friday, August 21 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Slauson Avenue & Vermont Avenue from 7 P.M. to 12 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Florence Avenue & Main Street from 7 P.M. to 12 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Fairfax Avenue & 5th Street from 8 P.M. to 1 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Figueroa Street & 9th Street from 9 P.M. to 2 A.M.

Saturday, August 22 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Roscoe Boulevard & Amestoy Avenue from 8 P.M. to 1 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Victory Boulevard & Bellaire Avenue from 8 P.M. to 1 A.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in 77th Street Area from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M.

Sunday, August 23 • DUI Saturation Patrol in Southwest Area from 12 P.M. to 8 P.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in North Hollywood Area from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M.

Thursday, August 27 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Lincoln Boulevard & Maxella Avenue from 8 P.M. to 1 A.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in Central Bureau from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in Olympic Area from 7 P.M. to 3 A.M.

Friday, August 28 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Western Avenue & 8th Street from 8 P.M. to 1 A.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in Harbor Area from 6 P.M. to 2 A.M.

Sunday, August 30 • DUI Saturation Patrol in Foothill Area from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M.

Wednesday, September 2 • DUI Saturation Patrol in Central Bureau from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M.

Friday, September 4 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Manchester Avenue & Main Street from 7 P.M. to 12 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Florence Avenue & Main Street from 7 P.M. to 12 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Fairfax Avenue & 5th Street from 8 P.M. to 1 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Figueroa Street & 9th Street from 9 P.M. to 2 A.M.

Saturday, September 5 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Van Nuys Boulevard & Roscoe Blvd from 8 P.M. to 1 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint on Van Nuys Boulevard & Tiara Street from 8 P.M. to 1 A.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in Southwest Area from 6 P.M. to 2 A.M.

Sunday, September 6 • DUI Saturation Patrol in Mission Area from 2 P.M. to 10 P.M.

Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab, but whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role. They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab.

Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers revealed that more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) compared to alcohol (7.3 percent). Marijuana was most prevalent drug, at 7.4 percent, which was slightly more than alcohol. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects.

During this August and year-round, remember that there is no excuse for drunk or impaired driving. If you choose to break the law, police, sheriff, and CHP officials will see you before you see them. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Funding for this special campaign is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who reminds everyone; Report Drunk Drivers! – Call 9-1-1.

MEDIA NOTES: To schedule an interview regarding the Los Angeles Police Department traffic safety efforts, please contact Lieutenant Dave Ferry, Traffic Coordination Section, at 213-486-0690.