South OC Times

Santa Ana, CA. (August 9, 2024) – As the end of summer approaches and families prepare for Labor Day celebrations, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reminds everyone to prioritize safety on the roads. Drivers are encouraged to make responsible choices behind the wheel by never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“We want everyone to enjoy their end of summer travels and Labor Day festivities, but it’s imperative to do so responsibly,” Sergeant Kyle Ishii said. “Driving under the influence not only puts your life at risk but also endangers everyone else on the road. Our goal is to reduce preventable crashes and save lives.”

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers several tips to ensure safe travel:

To help keep the community safe, the department will have additional officers on patrol from August 16 through Labor Day (September 2), looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These efforts are part of a national enforcement campaign, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over."

In addition to patrols, a DUI checkpoint will be held on August 23, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location within Dana Point.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 13,524 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2022 — that’s one person every 39 minutes.

While drunk driving is a significant traffic safety problem, impairment can also result from prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and cannabis products. If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive. If you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, call 9-1-1.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.