SACRAMENTO,
Calif. – The California Highway Patrol
(CHP) is launching a new education and enforcement campaign to reduce the
number of crashes caused by impaired drivers in California. Efforts associated with the yearlong Safer Highways Statewide grant will continue
through September 30, 2021.
The Safer Highways
Statewide grant provides the CHP with funding to conduct additional driving
under the influence (DUI) saturation patrols, DUI checkpoints, and traffic
safety education efforts throughout the state.
Additionally, the CHP will participate in the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration’s (NHTSA) Drive Sober or
Get Pulled Over campaign.
“DUI is the result of poor decision-making, and too often, it has
tragic consequences,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “If you drive while impaired, you could be
arrested, or worse, involved in a crash.”
In 2018,
there were 566 deaths and 11,298 injuries associated with DUI crashes within
the CHP’s jurisdiction. Each one of
these injuries and deaths represents a preventable tragedy and a continued need
to focus efforts on reducing impaired driving.
The CHP reminds
the public, “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.”
Alcohol, cannabis, prescription medications, illegal drugs, or any
combination of these, can impair your ability to drive and will result in an
arrest if you are under the influence.
Always designate a sober driver, take public transportation, or call a
taxi or a ride-share service. There is
always a better option than getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.
Funding
for this program was provided by a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety,
through NHTSA.
The
mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and
Security.
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