What:
News Conference; DUI Prevention During New Year's Eve

When:
Friday, December 30, 2005, at 5:00 PM

Where:
Van Nuys Community Police Station
6240 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys

Who:

Councilmember Wendy Greuel

Deputy Chief Michel Moore,
Operations-Valley Bureau

Captain Ronald Marbrey,
Commanding Officer Valley Traffic Division

Why:
Someone in America is killed in a traffic collision involving an impaired driver every 31 minutes.  There were 16,694 alcohol-related fatalities in 2004, which represent 39 percent of the total fatalities.
 
In California, statistics indicate that the number of alcohol-related motor vehicle deaths and injuries have steadily increased during the last five years costing the state an estimated $12 to $19 billion each year.  Motorists who drive while intoxicated could face a fine of $1,000, a year in jail, loss of a driver's license, have their vehicle impounded, time away from work, judicial costs and possibly child endangerment charges if a child is in the vehicle.

This New Year's weekend, there will be a "Zero Tolerance" posture towards intoxicated drivers and traffic offenders. 

Immediately following the news conference motorcycle officers will be riding out from the station parking lot to conduct DUI enforcement.

For further information contact Detective William Bustos, Valley Traffic Detectives (Spanish Media Contact), at 818-756-8391.