Memorial Day Holiday Weekend DUI Enforcement Blitz NA16114aj

The Avoid the 100 DUI Task Force is deploying officers this holiday weekend to staff Driving Under the Influence (DUI)/Driver License checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols countywide. Officers are targeting drunk or drugged drivers on this first holiday weekend of the summer driving season.

This weekend traditionally finds community members relaxing at local parks, enjoying backyard barbeques or engaging in other outdoor activities. It is also the time for college and high school graduation celebrations. The Los Angeles Police Department will support the Los Angeles County Avoid the 100 Task Force by conducting the following DUI-related enforcement activities:

Friday, May 27 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Soto Street and 1st Street – 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at San Vicente Boulevard and Drexel Avenue – 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Santa Monica Boulevard and Bronson Avenue – 8 P.M. to 2 A.M.

Saturday, May 28 • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Ventura Boulevard and Columbus Avenue – 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. • DUI/Driver License Checkpoint at Rinaldi Street and Laurel Canyon Boulevard – 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in Central Bureau – 5 P.M. to 1 A.M.

Sunday, May 29 • DUI Saturation Patrol in Mission Area – 12 P.M. to 8 P.M. • DUI Saturation Patrol in Van Nuys Area – 5 P.M. to 1 A.M.

Law enforcement is seeking the public’s support this holiday weekend to drink responsibly and follow these simple tips:

• Plan ahead. Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before the drinking begins. Call a taxi or get a ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb. • Be a good host. Limit and monitor the number of drinks guests or patrons consume. Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours. • Reduce the amount of drinks you bring to a gathering and eat. • Report Drunk Drivers. Call 9-1-1!

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers involved in fatal traffic collision had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers revealed that more drivers tested positive for drugs, which may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of those drugs, marijuana was most prevalent. It is everyone’s responsibility to be mindful that when taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify impairment effects.

In addition to the Memorial Day DUI crackdown, law enforcement nationwide is looking to stop and ticket those who fail to buckle up or secure young passengers. Remember Click It or Ticket!

Funding for the Avoid DUI Task Force is a provided from a California Office of Traffic Safety grant via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Avoid Task Force will conduct future checkpoints and DUI patrols during this Independence Day holiday and Labor Day DUI Mobilization period of August and September.