Law enforcement officers around the state are gearing up for a holiday crackdown on drunken driving.
The holiday maximum enforcement period begins tomorrow, as San Diego police officers join their colleagues across the state taking part in an 18-day holiday DUI crackdown campaign.
Statewide, 300 DUI and driver's license checkpoints will be set up.
Funding for the campaign, which concludes Jan. 3, 2010, comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Somewhere in the San Diego city limits, officers will set up a DUI checkpoint aimed at ferreting out those who drink and drive.
Nationwide last year, 11,773 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, San Diego police said in a statement.
In California, the death toll was 1,029. Another 28,457 were injured in alcohol -related crashes.
The penalties for breaking the law are rightfully stiff, including, jail time, loss of driver’s license, and fines. In addition, those convicted of drunken driving face higher insurance rates, attorney fees, time away from work, potential civil lawsuits and the list goes on.
The advice from law enforcement: think about how you, your friends and family will get home after consuing alocohooic beverages during holiday celebrations.
Those who spot suspected drunken drivers on the roadways are urged to call 911 with a vehicle description, location and direction of travel.
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