Full Notification

Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies and California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officers arrested at least 40 drivers for suspicion of DUI during the first six days of the National Summer DUI Enforcement Campaign in Santa Barbara County.  There were 38 DUI arrests during the same amount of days last year, with a total of 148 drivers arrested during the entire 18-day period.  (**NOTE: This year’s numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

“Each of these arrests were preventable had the drivers chosen not to get behind the wheel after having consumed alcohol and/or drugs,” said Senior Deputy Jeff Farmer of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.  “There are so many different options available, whether it’s a taxi, Uber, Lyft or designating a sober driver.”

There have been no collision fatalities as a result of suspected alcohol and/or drug impairment so far during this time period within Santa Barbara County.

Two DUI/DL checkpoints will be conducted on August 28^th.  CHP will conduct one in the City of Santa Barbara from 9:15 p.m. to 3:15 a.m., while the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office will conduct one in the City of Goleta from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.  Motorists will be delayed only momentarily while officers look for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, along with proper licensing.  DUI saturation patrols are also planned throughout the County by the various law enforcement agencies.

The Summer DUI Mobilization Campaign began on August 21^st and continues through September 7^th.

The Santa Barbara Avoid DUI Task Force funding 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.