New Year’s Eve D.U.I. Prevention Campaign NA13242gb

What:
News Conference

When:
December 31, 2013
12 p.m.

Where:
MTA Red Line and Orange Line Stations
5300 North Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Who:             
LAPD Captain Maureen Ryan, Commanding Officer, Valley Traffic Division
LAPD Detective William Bustos, Valley Traffic Division
California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Sheriff’s and Burbank Police Department Representatives
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Representative Marc Littman
American Automobile Association Representative (AAA) Jeffrey Spring,
Mothers’ Against Drunk Driving Representative (MADD) Patricia Rillera

Why:
Every 90 seconds someone is injured from an alcohol-related crash in America.  Every 51 minutes someone dies in a DUI related traffic collision in the United States. Los Angeles Police Officers arrested 14,707 intoxicated drivers in 2012.  There were 2,087 DUI traffic collisions in Los Angeles last year where 16 people who lost their lives in an impaired driving collision.

The press conference will be conducted to inform and educate the motoring public of the dangers of drinking and driving during this New Year’s Eve and throughout the year.  The goal is to reduce the number of deaths, injuries and property damage associated with intoxicated driving in our communities.

No one ever thinks that their holiday celebration will end in jail, or worse, in a hospital or the morgue. But for those who consume alcoholic beverages in their celebrations and then get behind the wheel, this is often the case.

The Los Angeles Police Department wants everyone to celebrate this New Year’s Eve responsibly to avoid becoming a D.U.I. statistic.  We ask that you drive sober or you will be pulled over.  If you become intoxicated, do not get behind the wheel of a car or motorcycle.  Use a designated driver. Use public transportation. Do not let the LAPD be your designated driver! Do not welcome the New Year in jail!!

Additional:
Someone who lost a loved one in a DUI traffic collision will be present to share their very personal story.  A vehicle involved in a traffic collision will be displayed.

Contact:
For more information contact Detective William Bustos at (213)-216-7009.