Police To Heighten DUI Patrols During Super Bowl Weekend
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Law enforcement officers around the county Thursday will begin patrolling to look for drunk drivers in the days leading up to Super Bowl Sunday.
"We're reminding everyone that real Super Bowl fans don't let fans drive drunk," said Glendora police Chief Rob Castro, whose agency is among numerous law enforcement organizations around the area participating in the Avoid the 100 DUI Task Force.
"We are asking all party hosts and bar owners to take extra care of designated sober drivers this year," Castro said. "Drafting a designated driver this weekend will be the correct play call for a sure win."
Authorities offered the following tips for party hosts:
-- serve plenty of food, and offer a variety of non-alcoholic drinks;
-- serve only one drink at a time, and serve measured drinks;
-- only serve alcohol to guests over 21 years of age;
-- determine ahead of time when you will stop serving alcohol, such as one hour before the end of the party, or at the end of the third quarter of the game;
-- begin serving desserts when you stop serving alcohol; and
-- add the phone numbers of local cab companies into your phone, so they are just one touch away.
Authorities offered the following tips for individuals:
-- designate your sober driver before the party begins, and leave your car keys at home if you plan to drink;
-- find unique ways to recognize the designated drivers when you are out at a bar or restaurant;
-- offer to be the designated driver the next time you go out;
-- cover the cost of parking for the designated driver, or even pay for a tank of gas;
-- avoid drinking too much alcohol. Pace yourself, and eat enough food; and
-- take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from driving while impaired.
The following enforcement efforts are included in the DUI campaign:
-- At 8 p.m. today, Los Angeles Police Department officers will begin a six-hour traffic "saturation patrol" operation in the Olympic Station's jurisdiction west of downtown Los Angeles.
-- On Friday at 7:30 p.m., California Highway Patrol officers will begin a six-hour sobriety/driver's license checkpoint at Whittier Boulevard near Hoefner Avenue in East Los Angeles.
-- On Friday at 8 p.m., LAPD officers will begin a six-hour sobriety checkpoint at Vermont Avenue and Fifth Street.
-- On Saturday at 8 p.m., LAPD officers will begin a six-hour sobriety checkpoint on Foothill Boulevard at Hubbard Street.
-- On Sunday at noon, LAPD officers will begin an eight-hour saturation patrol traffic operation in the 77th Street Station's jurisdiction south of downtown Los Angeles.
Funding for the extra law enforcement efforts is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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