SACRAMENTO,
Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP), in collaboration with the
California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), has launched a year-long $6.1
million campaign focused on reducing impaired driving incidents across the
state. The “Bring Impairment Down” campaign, funded by an OTS grant, runs
through September 30, 2025, and combines education and enforcement to make
California’s roads safer. The OTS grant will fund enhanced DUI saturation
patrols, sobriety checkpoints, and public education campaigns throughout the
state. These efforts aim to remove impaired drivers from the road and
increase awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence.
Driving under the influence (DUI) continues to be a significant threat to
public safety. In 2023, 1,089 people were killed, and 27,306 were injured in alcohol-involved
crashes in California. These statistics underscore the urgent need to address
impaired driving, and this grant reinforces CHP’s dedication to preventing
these preventable tragedies.
“The CHP’s primary mission is to ensure the
safety of California’s roadways. This significant grant will allow us to
focus not only on enforcement but also on education, helping to prevent
impaired driving before it happens,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “By combining
these two approaches, we are confident that we can make our roads safer, reduce
tragedies, and save lives.”
The CHP will also participate in the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled
Over" initiative and increase enforcement efforts during the Winter and
Summer mobilization periods, further supporting the goal of reducing DUI crashes
in California.
The CHP reminds everyone that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Alcohol.” Driving under
the influence of cannabis, prescription medications, illegal drugs, or any
combination of substances impairs a driver’s abilities and can lead to an
arrest. Designating a sober driver, using public transportation, or taking a
taxi or ride-share is always important—there is no excuse for driving while
impaired.
The public is also encouraged to report suspected DUI drivers by calling
9-1-1. When making a report, provide the dispatcher with the vehicle’s
location, direction of travel, and a description of the vehicle. For more
information about impaired driving, contact your local CHP Area office.
Funding for this program was provided by a
grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The CHP’s mission is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and
Security.
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