Tis the season to be merry. The Sheriff's Department wants to remind everyone to do the responsible thing and not drink and drive this holiday season.
As part of the nationwide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, Sheriff's deputies will be conducting additional DUI patrols from December 16th to January 1st.
The goal of these patrols is to find impaired drivers before they hurt or kill someone.
All month long, deputies have also been holding DUI checkpoints in Sheriff's contract cities to get drivers that are under the influence of drugs or alcohol off our roadways.
DUI checkpoints are scheduled between 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. in the following cities:
• December 18 – Imperial Beach
• December 20 – Encinitas
So far this year, more than 1,400 people have been arrested for DUI by the Sheriff's Department. In 2014, deputies arrested 1,610 people for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The Sheriff's Department works all year long to protect the community from impaired drivers.
"Let's prevent any tragedies this holiday season," said Sheriff Bill Gore. "Don't drink and drive. One bad decision could change your life forever. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over."
The Sheriff's Department has these tips for a safe holiday season:
• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home
• If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1 immediately
Here are some sober rider options for the holidays:
• Tipsy Tow: http://goo.gl/PntPGr
• Be My Designated Driver: http://goo.gl/7K5Y0m
• Metropolitan Transit System (MTS): http://goo.gl/f4g15
• North County Transit District (NCTD): http://goo.gl/WHHUO
Watch our public safety video on the dangers and high price of drinking and driving by following the Sheriff's Department on VIMEO: https://goo.gl/5vK8Z9.
Funding for this DUI enforcement program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
