NBPD Remains Focused on Impaired Driving this Holiday Season
DUI Checkpoint Scheduled for Friday, December 22
This holiday season, the Newport Beach Police Department is working around the clock to keep everyone on the road safe from impaired drivers. From December 15, 2017 through January 1, 2018, law enforcement is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in a special year-end Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement mobilization. We will be focusing on education and enforcement, spreading the word about the dangers of impaired driving and making arrests for DUIs. During the campaign period, we’ll be joining other police departments, sheriff’s departments, and the CHP for 18 days of concentrated DUI checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols. The NBPD will be conducting our own DUI checkpoint on Friday, December 22.
“During these last few weeks of 2017, drivers may notice increased enforcement in Newport Beach,” said Sergeant Mike Schiavi. “We are watching closely for anyone who might be impaired behind the wheel. We are committed to keeping our roads safe – not just for the holidays, but every day. With extra travelers on the road, and people attending holiday festivities, we know it is likely that we will see an uptick in drunk driving… so we’ll increase our efforts to counteract that. Our goal is to get everyone home safely this holiday season.”
Driving under the influence can have devastating – and deadly – consequences. Nationally in 2016, 37,461 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic collisions, and 28% of them died in crashes where a driver has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the limit of .08. 1,059 of those DUI deaths were right here in California.
We have also seen an increase in drug-impaired driving collisions in California in recent years. The NBPD supports the new effort from OTS that aims to educate all drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze”. Everyone should be mindful that while taking medications (whether prescription, over-the-counter, or marijuana), drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment effects.
“Two simple words can keep your holiday festivities safe – plan ahead,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “Before you head out to any celebration, plan how you are getting home safely. If you are drinking, that means knowing what sober driver or service will be using.”
This holiday season, and every day, drivers need to remember that it is never ok to drive while impaired by alcohol, marijuana, medication, or illicit drugs. Designate a sober driver, or plan to use ride-sharing or public transportation to get home safely. Consider using the California Office of Traffic Safety’s DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app, which is available for free download on iOS and Android devices. The app helps designated sober drivers find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives (from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more). Those who have been drinking can use the app to contact Uber, Lyft, or Curb to get a sober ride home.
Funding for this DUI operation is provided to Newport Beach Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1’.
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