In the United States, Cinco de Mayo – like St. Patrick’s Day – is for many people just an occasion for having a good time with alcohol. Do you plan to join the fiesta on May 5^th?  The Avoid the 16 DUI Task Force has planned special DUI Saturations Patrols to deploy in cities within the county looking to identify and stop suspected drunk drivers.   Additionally, every traffic and patrol officer assigned to duty will be on heightened alert to prevent a senseless tragedy due to alcohol or drugs.

The unfortunate truth is this: many people might be making party plans for Cinco de Mayo, but they aren’t planning ahead for getting home. Only 64 percent of the drivers in fatal crashes on Cinco de Mayo weekend in 2013 had no alcohol in their systems. What about the other 36 percent? They were driving after drinking. Too many people are lying to themselves about the dangers of drinking and driving. Some fiesta-goers think that they can play it by ear, and wait until after they drink to decide whether they’re “okay to drive.” By then, it’s too late.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.  A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).  Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.  Mixing medication or drugs - legal or illegal - is a dangerous cocktail.  Specially trained drug recognition experts will be checking for drug impairment whenever suspected.

If you don’t designate a sober driver ahead of time or have a solid plan for how you’ll get home safely, you are setting yourself up for disaster. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving, and when you drive drunk, you run the risk of killing yourself or someone else.  Even if you don’t harm anyone, the average DUI costs about $10,000. Wouldn’t you rather pay for a taxi?

As you make your Cinco de Mayo plans, the California Office of Traffic Safety is offering a free mobile app – DDVIP – aimed at thanking the sober designated driver with perks and free offers at area bars and restaurants.  And for those without a DD - make a sober ride home your priority; the new SaferRide app from NHTSA makes it easier than ever.

A final statistic to remember: drunk-driving deaths are 100 percent preventable. 

The Avoid the15 DUI Task Force funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  The next county wide DUI task force deployment will be for the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, May 23^rd - 26^th.  Remember, Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Don’t do it.

Please direct any inquiries to Sergeant Chris Prince at (916) 808-6069. Media is encouraged to attend the saturation patrols in an effort to spread awareness about the impacts of drinking and driving.