Orange County Announces July 4th Crackdown On Drunk Drivers

The Avoid the 38-Orange County DUI Campaign Task Force today announced its officers will be out in full force during the Fourth of July holiday period, cracking down on impaired drivers with an aggressive “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” enforcement blitz. “Driving while drunk isn’t worth the tremendous risk. No matter your age, if you’ve had too much holiday spirit, you’d better find a safe and sober ride home or your chances of arrest are high,” said Anaheim Police Chief John Welter.

Avoid the 38 – Orange County cited recent nationwide statistics to underscore the importance of the crackdown. In 2007, 34 percent of all drivers involved in traffic-related crashes during the July 4th holiday period (6 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2007 to 5:59 a.m. on Thursday, July 5, 2007) had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, the legal limit in all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

During the July 4th holiday period in 2007, there were a total of 200 traffic-related fatalities. Of those, 44 percent involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher. . During the 2008 Independence Day Holiday weekend, California’s Alcohol Involved Deaths totaled 17 and another 382 suffered injuries, some life changing, due to intoxication. (The 2008 data is provisional information) “Too many people still fail to understand that alcohol and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident—nor is it a victimless crime. It’s vitally important that we bring this tragic situation to an end,” said Chief John Welter.

The Avoid the 38 campaign failed to mention the substantial drop in DUI arrests for 2008.

Avoid the 38 – Orange County will be deploying a large number of officers for DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints and multiple Local DUI Saturation Patrols during the 3 day holiday weekend. All city police and Orange County Sheriff patrols along with the CHP, who is deploying 80% of all officers onto freeways, state routes and county roads will be stepping up DUI stops locally and statewide. Chief Welter said following these easy steps, a driver can enjoy a safe and festive holiday without jeopardizing their life and the lives of the others who may be on the road.

- Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;

- Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and give that person your keys;

- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;

- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate: Report Drunk Drivers, Call 9-1-1!

Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk. The consequences are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be significant. Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses.

“No matter what you drive—a passenger car, pickup, or motorcycle—if you are caught driving impaired, you will be arrested,” said Chief Welter. “Don’t let this Fourth of July blow up in your face. Remember. Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.”

For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org

CONTACT:
Sgt. Rick Martinez, Anaheim Police Department Public Information Officer: (714) 765-1521
Mr. Jim Amormino, Director of Public Affairs, Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. 714 647-7042
For further information, contact: www.californiaavoid.org

And, if you have questions for an Orange County DUI Specialist, or have been arrested for DUI, call (714) 568-1560.

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