The Sacramento Police Department, in conjunction with our partners form the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and the Sacramento Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, will be conducting multiple DUI operations over the next five weeks.

There will be extra officers enforcing DUI related laws and we will be conducting four DUI/CDL checkpoints during this time period. What better way is there to celebrate the many accomplishments of our graduating high school seniors than to ensure they live beyond graduation?

The purpose behind these operations is to safeguard the lives of our graduating high school seniors, promote traffic safety within the City of Sacramento, remove DUI drivers from our streets, educate the motoring public of the dangers associated with drinking and driving/driving while under the influence of drugs.

The Sacramento Police Department wants to remind our citizens to drink responsibly and use designated drivers. Citizens are encouraged to call 911 to report drunk drivers. Please remember: Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest.

The first operation in this series will be a sobriety and drivers license checkpoint on Friday, May 21, 2010, in the central area of the City. Traffic flowing through the checkpoint will be contacted by uniformed officers, who will be checking for alcohol and/or drug-impaired drivers. Officers will also check to make sure all drivers have a valid drivers license. Approximately four hours prior to the implementation of the checkpoint, there will be a press release specifying the location and approximate duration of the operation.

Funding for these programs is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Please direct any inquiries to Sergeant David Hargadon at (916) 808-6069. Media is encouraged to attend the checkpoint in an effort to spread awareness about the impacts of drinking and driving.