San Diego Criminal Attorneys Blog
Many are of you are truly enjoying this merry season by celebrating with friends and family. This joyous time of year is filled with festivities, good food, holiday cocktails, and fun. Unfortunately, news reports indicate that some holiday celebrators had too much merriment, and then made the unwise decision to drink and drive. This last weekend 16 suspected drunken drivers were arrested by California Highway Patrol officers at just one checkpoint.
After being stopped near or at the checkpoint located in a downtown East Village neighborhood on G Street, sixteen individuals were arrested for DUI.{FOX5 News} The DUI checkpoint was in operation between the hours of 10:49 p.m. Saturday and 2:21 a.m. Sunday, San Diego Police Officer Mark McCullough stated.
Officials said some of the motorists were caught in areas surrounding the checkpoint, which had extra patrols due to the national “Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over” campaign. This campaign has been designed to create heightened public awareness and high-visibility enforcement.
“Drinking alcohol and driving do not mix,” McCullough said. “If you plan to consume alcohol, you should also plan not to get behind the wheel of a vehicle or ride a motorcycle.”
Officer McCullough said holiday revelers should plan a safe way home before festivities begin, designate a sober driver, use a taxi or public transportation and to help those who had been drinking get home safely. He urged anyone who spots a suspected drunken driver to call 911.
In an effort to keep our local roads safe, San Diego Law Enforcement says they have been deploying many operations to keep drunk drivers off the road. In my last blog, I described the multiple efforts being taken as a part of the “Drive Sober, Or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Please keep in mind, San Diego Law Enforcement has substantially increased the number of DUI/Driver License Checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols. They have also deployed a multi‐agency DUI Taskforce strike team patrol, and a DUI Warrant sweep. In addition, all available deputies and officers will be deployed during the two maximum enforcement periods – Christmas and New Year’s weekends.
Another strategy to keep drunken drivers off the road this holiday season, is being put forth by the San Diego County Probation Department. According to the U-T San Diego, the department is increasing the supervision of repeat DUI offenders. In addition, the department’s DUI enforcement team will make more surprise home visits of drunken drivers on probation. They will also increase the number of high-risk offenders fitted with monitoring bracelets that detect alcohol.
The county Probation Department’s DUI enforcement team is paid for with a $500,000 grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In fact, quite a bit of funding has been granted to Law Enforcement Departments all over the nation to finance the multi-agency DUI Taskforce teams and the national “Drive Sober, Or Get Pulled Over” awareness campaign.
Please keep your holiday memories happy ones ~ don’t make the regretful decision to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Be aware, extra patrols are out there! If you or a loved one get yourself in a situation where you need legal counseling (or just a ride home), call us ~Leslie Legal Group.
Wishing You and Yours,
A Happy Holiday Season ~ Full of Love, Laughter, and Joy!
From All Of Us at the Leslie Legal Group
Sources: “PROBATION OFFICIALS BOOST WATCH ON DUI REPEATERS” ~ U-T San Diego, December 17, 2012
“DUI Checkpoint Downtown Nets 16 Arrests” ~ FOX5 San Diego, December 16, 2012