Dozens of DUI Checkpoints or Saturation Patrols Planned for OC

This weekend marks the beginning of a holiday season DUI crackdown with about 14 DUI checkpoints and 27 saturation patrols scheduled around Orange County from now until News Years Day.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, “The facts are grim: on average, a third (31%) of all crash fatalities in America involves drunk driving. In December 2012 there were 830 people killed in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher; 26 of those deaths occurred on Christmas Day. But on Christmas day 2012, the percentage jumped to 36 percent. For all of 2012, more than 10,322 people are killed by drunk drivers in America, with 802 of those in California alone. In California, an additional 24,000 are seriously injured.”

The Orange County Avoid DUI Task Force advises Orange County drivers follow these tips to keep the holidays safe and happy:

· Under the right conditions, 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.

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

· If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member or use public transportation.

The Southern California Avoid DUI Task Force is announcing its upcoming enforcement operations for the Winter Holiday DUI Campaign. The following is a schedule of operations, dates, and locations:

Friday December 12, 1900-0300, Cities of Garden Grove, Placentia & Tustin

Friday December 19, 1900-0300, Cities of Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, Mission

Saturday December 20, 1900-0300, City of Laguna Beach

Saturday December 27, 1900-0300, Cities of Westminster & Santa Ana

The City of Anaheim will be conducting additional DUI / Driver’s License Checkpoints with dates to be

Friday, December 12, 2000-0300, Cities of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine and La Habra

Saturday, December 13, 2000-0300, City of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Anaheim, Tustin and Brea

Tuesday, December 16, 2000-0300, City of Anaheim

Thursday, December 18, 2000-0300, City of Anaheim

Friday, December 19, 2000-0300, Cities of Anaheim & Costa Mesa

Saturday, December 20, 2000-0300, Cities of Anaheim and Irvine

Tuesday, December 23, 2000-0300, City of Anaheim

Saturday, December 27, 2000-0300, Cities of Anaheim, La Habra & Orange

Tuesday, December 30, 2000-0300, City of Anaheim

Wednesday, December 31, 2000-0300, Cities of Anaheim, Irvine, Placentia, Westminster and Brea

The City of Fountain Valley and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting additional Saturation Patrols with dates to be determined.

Photo: Patch Archive