Full Notification

Redwood City, Ca.—The Christmas and New Year’s holidays are ways to spend time with family and friends ringing in another year, but also a time when people can make poor choices that put themselves and others at risk on the road.

To help spread the message about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving, Redwood City Police Department is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to get impaired drivers off roads.

During the high-visibility enforcement campaign Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, which runs from Dec. 14-Jan. 1, Redwood City Police Department will have more officers on the road conducting saturation patrols looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“Whether drinking at home at a family function or enjoying your evening at a bar or restaurant, it is important that you find a sober ride home,” said Chief of Police Dan Mulholland. "As a responsible adult, it is up to you to make the right decisions and drive sober or use a ride share service. There are no excuses for driving while impaired.”

Redwood City Police Department also reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Marijuana, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

During the 2017 Christmas (Dec. 22-25) and New Year’s (Dec. 30-Jan. 2) holiday periods, 25 people were killed and 643 injured on California roads, according to data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS).

“Impaired driving, whether it involves the use of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs, continues to plague our country,” said Chief Mulholland. “This is a busy time of year and many people are traveling on our roads during the holiday season, so it is important that everyone acts responsibly behind the wheel and designates a sober driver.”


Funding for impaired driving enforcement operations are provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.