Celebrating Cinco De Mayo? Plan A Designated Driver This Weekend

TEMECULA, CA — Cindo de Mayo is a time for celebration but also a time to call that rideshare or designate a driver if you're planning on imbibing in sangria, Mexican beer, tequila, or margaritas.

On Sunday, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and officers from other law enforcement agencies throughout the region will step up patrols to catch Cinco de Mayo celebrants who risk drinking, drugging, and driving.

In Southwest Riverside County, anti-DUI enforcement deployments will be conducted all day Sunday, mostly involving saturation patrols.

"Don't put yourself and others on the road at risk by driving impaired," according to a statement released by the sheriff's department. "If you're planning to celebrate with a drink or two, leave your keys at home and designate a sober driver."

In cities throughout the county, police officers will be closely monitoring traffic activity, enforcing a "zero tolerance" policy toward impaired driving, according to public safety officials.

They emphasized that party-goers have the option of calling a cab, using public transit or hailing a private ride service like Lyft or Uber.

A misdemeanor DUI conviction in California can result in fines up to $10,000, jail time and revocation of a driver's license.