As summer winds down, the Avoid the 16- Sacramento County DUI Task Force is ramping up its enforcement efforts as part of a national crackdown on impaired driving. The 18-day, high-visibility campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, is a partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety to curb impaired driving and save lives.  August 21-September 7 (Labor Day), law enforcement partners in Sacramento County, across the state and nationwide will show zero tolerance for impaired driving.  Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of driving impaired, coupled with checkpoints and increased officers on the road, aim to drastically reduce the toll of impaired driving.

And what a toll it is. In 2013, there were 10,076 people killed in impaired–driving crashes, almost a third of all traffic fatalities according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  In California, 867 died in impaired driving collisions according to NHTSA.  Thirty-eight percent of crash fatalities on Labor Day weekend that year involved alcohol impaired drivers with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher.  And we are not just talking about a little bit of alcohol, either. More than a quarter (27 percent) of the crash fatalities that occurred on Labor Day weekend involved drivers with BACs of .15 or higher – almost twice the illegal limit.

The County’s DUI Task Force kicks off Friday night by deploying DUI/Drivers License checkpoints during the first weekend along with DUI Saturation Patrols.  DUI enforcement will continue through Monday, September 7th. **See the attached Schedule of Operations** for dates/times/locations throughout the campaign.  The California Highway Patrol will deploy all available officers onto freeways and county roads as part of their Maximum Enforcement Period over the 3 day holiday weekend.

NHTSA data shows that repeat offenders are an especially dangerous facet of the impaired-driving problem. In the month of August from 2009-2013, of the impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes, almost 1 out of 10 (8 percent) of them had already been convicted of at least one impaired-driving offense.

Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of impaired driving reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role.  They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen. 

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. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects. 

So this August and year-round, remember that there’s no excuse for impaired driving. If you choose to break the law, police sheriff and CHP official will see you before you see them. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Avoid the 16 DUI Task Force funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who reminds everyone; Report Drunk Drivers! – Call 9-1-1. Please direct any inquiries to Sergeant Chris Prince at (916) 808-6069. Media is encouraged to attend the events in an effort to spread awareness about the impacts of drinking and driving.

AVOID the 16 Summer Holiday Mobilization Schedule of Operations

The Sacramento County Avoid the 16 is announcing its upcoming enforcement operations for the Summer Holiday DUI Campaign.  The following schedule of operations, dates, and locations are provided for broadcast. 

Week of Aug 21^st

Fri, Aug 21^st, DUI/DL CHECKPOINT 1900-0300, City of Sacramento

Fri, Aug 21^st, DUI Saturation Patrols 2000-0300, City of Rancho Cordova

Sat, Aug 22^nd, DUI/DL CHECKPOINT 1900-0300, City of Rancho Cordova                      

Sat, Aug 22^nd, DUI Saturation Patrols 2000-0300, Cities of Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Citrus Heights

Week of Aug 28th through Labor Day

Fri, Aug 28^th, DUI/DL CHECKPOINT, 1900-0300, City of Elk Grove

Sat, Aug 29^th, DUI/DL CHECKPOINT, 1900-0300, City of Sacramento

Sat, Aug 29^nd, DUI Saturation Patrols 2000-0300, City of Elk Grove

Fri, Sept 4^th, DUI/DL CHECKPOINT, 1900-0300, Cities of Sacramento and Elk Grove

Sat, Sept 5^th, DUI Saturation Patrols 2000-0300, Cities of Sacramento and Elk Grove

Sun, Sept 6^th, DUI/DL CHECKPOINT, 1900-0300, City of Citrus Heights