Tuesday, 31 August 2010 06:10

CHP prepares statewide DUI crackdown enforcement period

slide5-chp_prepares_statewide_dui_crackdown_enforcement_period.pngAmador County – The state office of the California Highway Patrol announced Monday that its officers are preparing for the “final maximum enforcement period of the summer driving season,” beginning Friday, September 3rd. Fran Clader of CHP media relations in Sacramento said roadside sobriety and license checks will begin 6 p.m. Friday for the Labor Day “maximum enforcement period.” The holiday enforcement initiative continues through to midnight Monday, September 6th. CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said he hopes “everyone enjoys the Labor Day weekend by keeping safety in mind.” He said the holiday should contribute to highway crowding “with many families headed for fun.” Farrow said: “Mixing these factors with alcohol, speed and not wearing a safety belt can lead to a deadly consequence.” Although last year’s road fatalities “were far lower than previous Labor Day weekends,” he said last year there were 12 people killed in crashes on California roadways. CHP said 75 percent of all fatalities in the state involved someone not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Clader said besides the Labor Day maximum enforcement period, CHP is “in the midst of an aggressive crackdown on impaired driving.” The statewide crackdown began August 20th. She said a national campaign, “Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest,” is a “coordinated effort of law enforcement agencies throughout the country and continues through the holiday weekend.” Last year’s Labor Day weekend crackdown statewide made 1,417 arrests for driving under the influence, Clader said. Farrow said if the CHP finds an impaired driver, “we will arrest you, no exceptions.” He said driving under the influence “is a careless disregard for human life.” Clader said the CHP encourages motorists to call 9-1-1 if they encounter a suspected drunk driver, and “to help law enforcement intervene, callers should be prepared to provide dispatchers a description of the vehicle, its location and direction of travel.” Farrow said: “Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Designate a driver in advance, always wear your seat belt, don’t speed and be sure to pay attention to the road.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.