Crime & Safety

Holiday Crackdown On Drunken Driving Has Begun

Authorities throughout the Bay Area launched their Avoid The 25 campaign on Friday

Bay Area law enforcement authorities began their annual "Avoid The 25" campaign on Friday.

The crackdown focuses on impaired drivers during the holiday season.

The extra enforcement lasts from Dec. 13 to Jan. 1.

During the next three weeks, patrol officers will be looking for motorists driving under the influence in an effort to keep the roadways safe.

Among the tactics are DUI checkpoints, roving DUI saturation patrols, a DUI warrant probation sweep and DUI court sting targeting people with suspended licenses leaving courtrooms.

Authorities say the holiday season is a particularly deadly time on the road due to the increased number of drunken drivers. In California, there were 505 people killed in crashes that involved impaired drivers during the months of December from 2007 to 2011.

Authorities offer these tips to keep the holidays safe and happy:

· 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.

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· If you will be drinking, do not drive. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.

· Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.

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· If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life; inaction could cost a life.

Funding for the Avoid the 25 anti-DUI task force is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.



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