Elk Grove Drunk Driving Patrol Increase
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove Personal Injury Lawyer. Summer is a time for fun, but some people take it too far when it comes to partying. Too many are putting themselves and others in danger. Drunk driving accidents are much too common this time of year. With the last days of the summer season slowly approaching us, the Elk Grove Police Department (EGPD) has publicly announced their full participation in a nationwide movement regarding drunk driving enforcement.
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Although the Labor Day holiday weekend isn’t here yet, officials are taking early action measures to prevent alcohol-related accidents. The new program, called Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, will go into effect as of Friday, August 17, and will last until Monday, September 3. During the length of this program, EGPD and many other police departments nationwide will increase patrols to locate and take any suspected drunk or drug-impaired drivers off the road. This is a high-visibility law enforcement campaign, and police officers will adhere to a zero-tolerance policy when dealing with anyone caught driving under the influence.
Watch YouTube Video – Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Couple
Elk Grove Police Want to Save Lives and End DUI’s
EGPD will be applying additional emphasis on strictly enforcing all traffic violations by deploying DUI Saturation Patrols over the 18-day mobilization. The EGPD Traffic Unit will also be organizing a DUI & Drivers License Checkpoint on August 18 at an unknown location confined to city limits within the hours of 7:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m.
Dan Schnepple, Traffic Lieutenant of the EGPD, released a statement saying that all drivers are accountable for the choice they make every time they get behind the wheel, whether they choose to drive sober or under the influence. Ultimately, it is not the police forces, but the drivers who can put an end to drunk driving. He also stated that the purpose of this campaign is not about ticketing, but to spread the message that impaired driving is against the law and takes lives every day.
Labor Day Weekend is a Dangerous Time to Drive
The anti-drunk driving campaign goes through Labor Day weekend, one of the worst times of year to be on the road in regards to alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Unfortunately, one-third of all traffic fatalities involve a drunk driver. Data collected from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 10,497 people passed away in drunk driving accidents in 2016. This can be broken down into one person losing their life in a drunk driving accident every 50 minutes.
DUI Safety Tips
To avoid getting a DUI and putting yourself and others at risk, EGPD has compiled a few safety tips to follow:
- Always designate someone you are with as the sober driver.
- Use your local public transportation services or a popular ride-sharing service such as Uber to get home safely.
- Have a loved one that is about to drive even though they have been drinking? Take their keys away from them and call them a cab.
- Report any drunk drivers on the road by calling 911.
Elk Grove Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove Personal Injury Lawyer. While any motor vehicle accident is capable of causing severe injuries, those involving alcohol consumption have an even higher likelihood of injury. If you or a family member was injured by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Please feel free to contact me anytime at (916) 694-0002 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
To learn more about my firm, please read my client ratings and my history with past case outcomes at the following links:
I am proud to be part of the Million Dollar Advocates. This forum is composed of U.S. trial lawyers who have won verdicts or settlements with a value of $1 million or more for a client.
Photograph Source: By “fsHH” via Pexels
:jf ds [cs 690] cv