RPD Cracks Down on Impaired Driving During Holiday Weekend

The Avoid the 25 DUI Task Force is deploying officers this holiday weekend at DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols countywide to arrest impaired drivers and to keep the public aware of the dangers of driving while impaired by alcohol and drugs. The start of the summer season has arrived and if history repeats drunk or drugged driving crashes will rise across the nation when reckless drivers take to the roadways impaired. Friends and families will gather for celebrations and to start the summer season, often with alcohol this three-day weekend. Law enforcement is reminding everyone to make plans now for those weekend trips and partying. Make sure to use a ‘Designated Sober Driver’ to prevent arrest or worse, a deadly driving tragedy. The Redlands Police Department will join law enforcement agencies throughout the region, deploying a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint in the eastbound lanes of Colton Avenue between New York and Texas streets from 10 p.m. Friday, May 23, until 3 a.m. Saturday morning. On Saturday, May 24, Redlands Police officers on grant-funded overtime will conduct targeted DUI “saturation” patrols looking for drivers who show signs of impairment. Law enforcement region-wide is asking for everyone’s support this holiday weekend and all summer long: • Plan ahead. Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before the drinking begins. • Those hosting celebrations and servers must limit drinks to your guests or patrons. Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours. • Identify and provide free non-alcoholic drinks to the Designated Sober Driver. • Cut back on the amount of drinks you plan to bring to the party – and provide plenty of food. • If you see dangerous driving, Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1! Funding for the Avoid DUI Task Force is by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols are components of the Redlands Police Department’s Responsible Redlands initiative. The Redlands Police Department, with the support of state agencies, including the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and Office of Traffic Safety, the County of San Bernardino, and local businesses and community groups, launched the initiative in late August 2013 to focus on enforcing alcohol laws. 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.