Officers Out In Full Force For Holidays

REDWOOD CITY, CA -- A DUI can change your life -- and someone else's.

With that, law enforcement spanning the South Bay from Redwood City and Sunnyvale to San Jose and up to Milpitas is warning motorists willing to imbibe alcohol and substances that can impact their driving to think again.

The Redwood City Police Department is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to get impaired drivers off the roads. Motorists will notice a high concentration of officers on the road for its visibility campaign called "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over," which runs from Dec. 14-Jan. 1.

“Whether drinking at home at a family function or enjoying your evening at a bar or restaurant, it is important that you find a sober ride home,” Redwood City Chief of Police Dan Mulholland said. "As a responsible adult, it is up to you to make the right decisions and drive sober or use a ride share service. There are no excuses for driving while impaired.”

Redwood City police also reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Marijuana, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

“This is a busy time of year and many people are traveling on our roads during the holiday season, so it is important that everyone acts responsibly behind the wheel and designates a sober driver,” Mulholland said.

The South Bay's largest city plans to make a big presence. Motorists who consume too much alcohol and drugs during the Christmas holiday from Dec. 22-25 may find a rude awakening in the face of a San Jose officer or face the same fate as the 99 people killed and nearly 4,500 people injured on California roads. Of those deadly crashes, nearly 35 percent involved alcohol, the San Jose Police Department reported.

Funding for holiday season enforcement operations are provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

All eyes on the state highways

Whoever said California is a liberal state did not drive drunk and face the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP will begin its Christmas maximum enforcement period Friday through Christmas Day. Its focus during the enforcement period will be those who break the speed limits.

“The California Highway Patrol wishes everyone a happy and, most importantly, safe holiday season,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Please remember to drive sober, avoid distractions, always buckle up, leave plenty of time to reach your destination and consider the
possibility of inclement weather.”

The holiday season brings celebrations and time spent with family and friends, but unfortunately they also result in a considerable loss of life on California’s roadways.

The agency counted 16 people who died in collisions on the highways during the 2017 Christmas maximum enforcement period. Of the 12 vehicle occupants who were killed, half were not wearing seat belts. Three pedestrians and one motorcyclist were also killed, and the CHP made 917 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If death or injury doesn't serve as enough of a deterrent, consider this: The fine for a first-offense DUI along with associated costs can total more than $15,000 in California.

--Image via Shutterstock