RPD to Conduct Extra Traffic Enforcement During September

The Redlands Police Department will be cracking down on drunken and distracted drivers along with other traffic violations during a series of targeted traffic patrols through the end of September. Targeted DUI saturation patrols are scheduled from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 18 and 25. Extra patrols will be out during the day on Fridays, Sept. 19 and 26, targeting enforcement of traffic violations such as speeding, running stop signs and red lights and other actions that are the primary factors in most traffic collisions. While Redlands Police will enforce traffic laws at all times, grant-funded traffic patrols that target specific violators provide an extra measure of enforcement while educating drivers to always obey traffic laws. Drunk drivers often face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, to lost wages due to time off from work. Even worse, a drunk driver can cause a traffic crash that claims someone’s life, or their own. The Redlands Police Department wants to remind drivers of these important tips: • Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk - or worse, the risk of having a crash while driving. • If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins. • If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member or use public transportation. • Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. • If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life. Remember, it is never safe to drink and drive: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Distracted driving includes anything that takes your attention off the road. The Auto Club offers the following tips to avoid distracted driving: • Fully focus on driving. Do not let anything divert your attention, actively scan the road, use your mirrors and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists. • Store loose gear, possessions and other distractions that could roll around in the car, so you do not feel tempted to reach for them on the floor or the seat. • Make adjustments before your get underway. Address vehicle systems like your GPS, seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems before hitting the road. Decide on your route and check traffic conditions ahead of time. • Finish dressing and personal grooming at home – before you get on the road. • Snack smart. If possible, eat meals or snacks before or after your trip, not while driving. On the road, avoid messy foods that can be difficult to manage. • Secure children and pets before getting underway. If they need your attention, pull off the road safely to care for them. Reaching into the backseat can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. • Put aside your electronic distractions. Don’t use cell phones while driving – handheld or hands-free – except in absolute emergencies. Never use text messaging, email functions, video games or the internet with a wireless device, including those built into the vehicle, while driving. • If you have passengers, enlist their help so you can focus safely on driving. • If another activity demands your attention, instead of trying to attempt it while driving, pull off the road and stop your vehicle in a safe place. To avoid temptation, power down or stow devices before heading out. • As a general rule, if you cannot devote your full attention to driving because of some other activity, it’s a distraction. Take care of it before or after your trip, not while behind the wheel. DUI saturation patrols are a component of the Redlands Police Department’s Responsible Redlands initiative. The Responsible Redlands initiative aims to curb the problems related to binge and underage drinking in Redlands in order to achieve a safer, healthier community. The campaign includes DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols to identify intoxicated drivers, party patrols to enforce the City’s Social Host Ordinance, decoy operations to cite businesses and individuals who provide alcohol to underage persons and educational efforts for local businesses that serve alcohol. Responsible Redlands welcomes partnerships with alcohol retailers and establishments that serve alcohol.