Through Labor Day weekend Elk Grove Police to increase patrols, conduct DUI checkpoints

August 13, 2018 | 

With the last days of traditional summer quickly approaching, the Elk Grove Police Department has announced it will be participating in a nation-wide drunk driving enforsement.

The program, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, will be in effect from August 17, through September 3. During this period Elk Grove Police and other departments statewide will be increasing patrols  to stop suspected drunk or drug impaired drivers and motorcyclists.

Elk Grove Police will have a special emphasis during this 18-day mobilization to enforce all traffic violations by deploying DUI Saturation Patrols. As part of the mobilization, the Elk Grove Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.  

The enforcement campaign runs through the Labor Day holiday weekend, which is one of the deadliest times of year in terms of alcohol-involved traffic deaths. Sadly, one-third of all traffic deaths involve drunk drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 10,497 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes, or one person every 50 minutes.

“It’s up to drivers to make the smart decision and drive sober not just for this enforcement period, but every day” Elk Grove Police Department Traffic Lieutenant Dan Schnepple said. “This isn’t about ticketing. This is a campaign to get the message out that driving impaired is illegal and takes lives.”

To avoid a DUI and putting others, and yourself, at risk, Elk Grove Department has a few tips to stay safe on the roads:

• Always designate a sober driver.
• Use public transportation or a ride sharing service to get home.
• Use your community’s sober ride program
• Have a friend or family member who is about to drive buzzed or impaired? Take the  keys away and make arrangements to get them home safely.
• Report drunk drivers - call 911.

Funding for this DUI operation is provided to Elk Grove Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.