Police Boost Patrols to Curb Drunk Cinco de Mayo Partyers

Over 100 police agencies will teaming up to crack down on drunk driving Thursday with an eye toward keeping Cinco de Mayo celebrations safe.

According to a press release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department, deputies from stations throughout the county will be on patrol with California Highway Patrol officers out in force on freeways and in unincorporated communities to test and arrest drunk drivers.

The group of 100 different agencies is called the Avoid the 100 DUI Task Force.

"Drunk driving affects everyone on the roadway," Sergeant Joseph Jakl of the Sheriff's Traffic Services Detail said. "LASD aggressively enforces our state's DUI laws to protect the public."

Police are urging Cinco de Mayo partyers to plan ahead by identifying a designated driver in advance and making other arrangements.

The L.A. County Sheriff's Department provided the following tips:

• Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before the drinking begins.
• Identify and provide free non-alcoholic drinks or other promotional items to the Designated Driver.
• Party hosts and servers must limit drinks to your guests or patrons.
• Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours.

Funding for the drunk driving task force is provided through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.