Friends Don”t Let Friends Drive Drunk This Saint Patrick’s Day NA12053rh

March 14, 2012

Don’t Depend on Dumb Luck—Designate a Sober Driver Before the Party Begins

Los Angeles: Saint Patrick’s Day has become a popular occasion to celebrate with friends and family.  Unfortunately, Saint Patrick’s Day has become very dangerous due to the large number of drunk drivers.  During the 2010 Saint Patrick’s Day period, there were three people killed  and 96 seriously injured in traffic collisions across California involving at least one driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics compiled by the California Office of Traffic Safety.

“Whether you are meeting a few friends at the local pub or visiting your favorite Irish pub, if you plan on using alcohol, never drive while impaired—and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired.  Buzz driving is drunk driving,” commented Lieutenant Ron Katona, Officer in Charge, Traffic Coordination Section, Emergency Operations Division.

To ensure a safe and joyous Saint Patrick’s Day, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) recommends the following tips:

Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
Designate a sober driver;
Leave your car keys at home;
Call a taxi, call a friend or family member, or use public transportation to ensure you get home safely;
Call 911 if you see a possible drunk driver on the road; and,
Take the car keys away from someone who is about to drive impaired and assist them in getting home safely.

In effort to keep the streets of Los Angeles safe during the Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, the LAPD will conduct the following driving under the influence (DUI) saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints during the upcoming week:

DUI Saturation Patrol on March 15, 2012 (Thursday) from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Pacific Area;
Sobriety Checkpoint on March 16, 2012 (Friday) from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Figueroa Street between 8th Street and 9th Street in Central Area;
Sobriety Checkpoint on March 17, 2012 (Saturday) from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Venice Boulevard between Sepulveda Boulevard and Sawtelle Boulevard in Pacific Area; and,
DUI Saturation Patrol on March 18, 2012 (Sunday) from 12 to 8 p.m. in Harbor Area.

Funding for the checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  We can all help make our streets safer, please report Drunk Drivers – Call 911.  For further information, please contact Officer Don Inman, Traffic Coordination Section, at (213) 486-0703.