ELK GROVE POLICE DEPARTMENT PARTNERS IN SPECIAL HOLIDAY DUI CRACKDOWN

Elk Grove PD Joins Effort to Deploy one of 300 Sobriety Checkpoint over the Holidays


The holiday season is upon us and plan are in place for parties, shopping and traveling to friends and family. However, each year motorists will be in harm’s way thanks to the careless ones who will drink and drive this season.

On December 19, 2009, beginning at 8 PM, the Elk Grove Police Department will join law enforcement across the state as part of California ’s 18 Day Holiday DUI Crackdown Campaign with law enforcement agencies deploying 300 DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints statewide. Funding for the special enforcement campaign, December 16, 2009 through January 3, 2010 comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“The Elk Grove Police Department is committed to making sure that the roadways remain safe during the holidays,” said Elk Grove Police Chief Robert Lehner. “Members of the community are encouraged to call 911 if they observe an individual driving under the influence.”

11,773 killed in DUI incidents

In 2008, 11,773 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. In California 1,029 were killed on state and local roads driving with a .08 BAC or higher with another 28,457 injured in Alcohol Involved Collisions.

“Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for impaired driving can be significant,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, attorney fees, time away from work, and dozens of other expenses. So don’t take the chance. Remember, if you are over the limit, you are under arrest.”

Law enforcement encourages everyone planning a family gathering over the holidays to first think about how your friends and family will get home after drinking during holiday celebrations. Everyone is encouraged to “Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911” and be ready to describe the vehicle, its location and direction of travel to make your community safer into the New Year.

For additional information, please contact Officer Keith Schilling at (916) 753-3414.