Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign underway in Santa Maria
and last updated 2020-12-22 18:23:27-05
The Santa Maria Police Department is taking part in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
The campaign will include officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
It will continue through New Year s Day.
Impaired driving includes prescription medication, over-the-counter drugs and marijuana.
Funding for the program comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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The city attorney said his office has filed about 300 criminal complaints against drivers convicted of a DUI who did not install an interlock device in their car as required. He said data has shown the interlock system reduces drunk or drugged driving.
Feuer said his office was part of an effort to pass a state law that, as of 2019, requires all people convicted of a DUI to install interlock systems which prevent them from starting the vehicle if they ve been drinking alcohol.
“My message is very simple: if you are driving, do not drive under the influence,” Feuer said.
“You can avert a tragedy that will live with you for the rest of your life, if you survive.”
KEYT
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Two people were arrested for DUI at a checkpoint in Santa Maria on Friday.
Police said the checkpoint was held at the 800 block of South Blosser from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
During the operation, five drivers were cited for operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended/revoked license, two were arrested for DUI and no one was arrested for other criminal charges. A total of 116 vehicles were screened.
Santa Maria PD said checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.
By City News Service
Dec 21, 2020
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - City Attorney Mike Feuer warned today of the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, noting it s especially dangerous now with local hospital beds filling up with COVID-19 patients.
Feuer said that with the limited number of hospital beds and intensive care unit expertise available amid surging coronavirus caseloads, people who are seriously injured in crashes as a result of driving under the influence may have trouble getting medical help.
“Even with the Safer at Home orders and bars and restaurants closed at night and nightclubs shut down, driving under the influence cases still are much too numerous my office, he said. “Just this year alone, my office has prosecuted more than 5,000 drivers; 4,600 of those were tied to alcohol.
Three drivers arrested, nine cited at Chino Police checkpoint Dec 18 championnewspapers.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from championnewspapers.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.