This holiday season, the Redlands Police Department will work around the clock to keep drivers and passengers safe as they search for impaired drivers. From Dec. 15, 2017 through Jan. 1, 2018, law enforcement is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in a special year-end Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement mobilization to get impaired drivers off the street and to spread the word about this dangerous crime.
As part of the holiday enforcement campaign period, police, sheriff and the CHP will deploy DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols during the upcoming 18-day DUI crackdown throughout the region. Redlands Police will conduct DUI checkpoints on Dec. 22 and 29 at locations to be determined.
“This holiday season, drivers will notice increased enforcement watching closely for anyone who is driving impaired,” said Redlands Police Sgt. Derik Ohlson. “It is vital that we keep our roads and our travelers safe, not just during the holidays, but every day. With extra travelers on the roads, and people attending holiday parties, we will likely see an uptick in impaired driving. RPD will be arresting anyone we catch breaking this life-saving law.”
Driving under the influence of alcohol can have deadly, devastating consequences. Nationally in 2016, 37,461 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and 28 percent (10,497) died in crashes where a driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the limit of .08. California reported 1,059 DUI deaths at .08 or above.
In recent years, California has seen an increase in drug-impaired driving crashes. The Redlands Police Department supports the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that aims to educate all drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana use can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.
“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 you will be using.”
Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or DDVIP, free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more.