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News Release Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk This Saint Patrick’s Day NR10116bb
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. “If you plan on consuming alcohol, never drive while impaired and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired. Buzz driving is drunk driving,” said 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
•Take the car keys away from someone who is about to drive impaired and assist them in getting home safely
In an effort to keep the streets of Los Angeles safe during the Saint Patrick's Day celebrations, the LAPD will conduct the following sobriety checkpoints during the upcoming week:
•March 12, 2010 (Friday) in West Valley Area;
•March 13, 2010 (Saturday) in 77th Street Area;
•March 17, 2010 (Wednesday) in Hollywood Area; and,
•March 19, 2010 (Friday) in North Hollywood Area.
Additionally, the LAPD will conduct driving-under-the-influence (DUI) saturation patrols in communities served by the Harbor and Central Community Police Stations on March 14th and 21st.
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.
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