DUI checkpoint, increased patrols Independence weekend

The Avoid the 6 El Dorado County DUI Task Force will be out in full force during the 4th of July holiday weekend, cracking down on impaired drivers with an aggressive DUI enforcement blitz.

“Driving while drunk isn’t worth the tremendous risk. No matter your age, if you’ve had too much holiday spirit, you’d better find a safe and sober ride home or your chances of arrest are high,” acting Police Chief Martin Hewlett of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department said in a statement.

Police, sheriff and the CHP will be putting additional officers on the streets and highways over the holiday weekend staffing one DUI/driver’s license checkpoint and four local DUI Roving Saturation Patrols.

CHP will also deploy all available officers during their maximum enforcement period patrolling freeways, state highways and county roads in their jurisdiction.

South Lake Tahoe police cite state statistics to underscore the importance of the crackdown. In 2009 during the July 4th holiday period of July 3-6 there were 373 alcohol involved deaths and injuries on California roadways.

California’s three-year Independence Day holiday alcohol involved collision data:

2009 – 30 killed 363 injured

2008 – 50 killed 498 injured

2007 – 30 killed 262 injured

“Too many people still fail to understand that alcohol and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident, nor is it a victimless crime. With 1,233 people killed during the past three July 4th holidays, it’s vitally important to stop this destruction of lives and futures,” Christopher Murphy, director of the California Office of Traffic Safety, said in a press release.