Drunk Driving Ruins the Holidays Police Aim to Save Lives with “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Crackdown

December 18, 2015

Please note the following change:

The DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Sherman Way and De Soto Avenue has been changed to Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Oxnard Street from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. due to weather conditions.

If you’re enjoying the holidays with a drink, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has a message for you: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Due to the increase in drunk-driving-related fatalities around the holidays each year, law enforcement agencies across America will be actively searching for and arresting drunk drivers from December 18 to January 3.

As part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign period; municipal police, county sheriff and the California Highway Patrol will be deploying driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols during the upcoming 17 day DUI Enforcement Campaign throughout the region. The LAPD has planned the following DUI-related enforcement activities:

Friday, December 18 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Jefferson Boulevard and Western Avenue from 7 P.M. to 1 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at La Brea Avenue and Melrose Avenue from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in Central Bureau from 3 P.M. to 11 P.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in Foothill Area from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M.

Saturday, December 19 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint in at Sherman Way and De Soto Avenue from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint in at Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in 77th Street Area from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M.

Sunday, December 20 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Figueroa Street and 9th Street 10 P.M. to 4 A.M.

Monday, December 21 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Sunset Boulevard and Micheltorena Street 8 P.M. to 2 A.M.

Saturday, December 26 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Slauson Avenue and Western Avenue from 6 P.M. to 12 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Woodman Avenue and Parthenia Street from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Cahuenga Boulevard and Broadlawn Drive from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M.

Sunday, December 27 • DUI Saturation Patrol in Van Nuys Area from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M.

Tuesday, December 29 • DUI Saturation Patrol in Central Bureau Area from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M.

Saturday, January 2 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Roscoe Boulevard and Whitsett Avenue from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M.

Sunday, January 3 • DUI Saturation Patrol in Northeast Area from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M.

There are 10,000 reasons to crackdown: in 2013, 10,076 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver. In December 2013, there were 733 people killed in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Twenty-three of those deaths occurred on Christmas Day. California was witnessed to 98 deaths and another 1,852 injured in alcohol involved collisions in December 2013.

“It’s time for all drivers to get the message,” said Lieutenant Dave Ferry, Traffic Coordination Section, Emergency Operations Division. “Drunk driving is a choice you make and when you make that choice, people can get hurt or die. That’s why we’re joining with law enforcement agencies nationwide to share the message: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” “The safest way to get home is to drive sober or catch a ride with a sober designated driver,” said Lieutenant Ferry.

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). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, 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.

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.

The LAPD reminders everyone to follow these simple tips to stay safe:

• Plan a safe way to get home before you attend the party. Alcohol impairs judgment, as well as reaction time. If you’re impaired you’re more likely to choose to drive drunk. • Designate a sober driver; take public transportation, a car service, or a call a sober friend of family member to get home. • Walking while impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home. • If you see someone you think is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them get home safely.

If you’re caught drinking and driving you could face jail time, fines, loss of driver’s license, towing fees, and other DUI expenses, totaling $10,000 on average. That’s not a small price, and that doesn’t even count the heftier price you could pay: the price of your life or someone else’s.

In addition to reminding all drivers to drive sober, Lieutenant Ferry is pleading with everyone to be alert and ‘Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911! “If you see a dangerous driver, call immediately! If someone you know is about to drive after drinking, help them get home safely. We’ve got to work together to make our roads safer this December and year-round,” Lieutenant Ferry said.

Remember, driving after drinking should never be an option. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Funding for this holiday campaign is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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