‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ in the Holidays, LAPD Warns

The Los Angeles Police Department will enforce a nine-day DUI drive for the holidays starting Thursday through Dec. 28, with one Northeast L.A. sobriety checkpoint scheduled in the Eagle Rock area, according to a communiqué issued by the LAPD’s media relations section Wednesday.

Titled “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” the campaign entails DUI patrols in the following areas of the city:

Thursday, Dec. 12

·     Checkpoint in 77th Street Area at Slauson Avenue and Buckler Avenue from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

·     DUI Saturation Patrol in Hollywood Area from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 13

·     Checkpoint in 77th Street Area at Vernon Ave and Hoover Street from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.

·     Checkpoint in Hollywood Area at Highland Area and De Longpre Avenue from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

·     Checkpoint in Rampart Area at Olympic Boulevard and Blaine Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

·     Checkpoint in Northeast Area at Hyperion Avenue and Scotland Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 14

·     Checkpoint in Van Nuys Area at Sepulveda Boulevard and Vose Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

·     DUI Saturation Patrol in Southwest Area from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 19

·     Checkpoint in Olympic Area at Vermont Avenue and 5th Street from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

·     Checkpoint in Northeast Area at Eagle Rock Boulevard and El Paso Drive from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

·     DUI Saturation Patrol in Hollywood Area from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 20

·     Checkpoint in Hollywood Area at Hollywood Boulevard and Bronson Avenue from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

·     Checkpoint in Van Nuys Area at Ventura Boulevard and Columbus Avenue from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 21

·     Checkpoint in 77th Street Area at Western Avenue and Slauson Avenue from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

·     Checkpoint in North Hollywood Area at Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Victory Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Sunday, Dec. 22

·     DUI Saturation Patrol in Hollenbeck Area from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

·     DUI Saturation Patrol in Devonshire Area from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

·     DUI Saturation Patrol in 77th Street Area from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 27

·     Checkpoint in 77th Street Area at Manchester Avenue and Hoover Street from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.

·     Checkpoint in West Valley Area at Roscoe Boulevard and Gloria Avenue from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 28

·     Checkpoint in Devonshire Area at Woodley Avenue and Pathenia Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

·     Checkpoint in Central Area at Figueroa Street and 9th Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

·     Checkpoint in Hollywood Area at Hollywood Boulevard and Cahuenga Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

·     DUI Saturation Patrol in West Valley from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

“In addition to DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints, you will also see us making lots of stops during this highly visible enforcement period,” the LAPD communiqué quoted a lieutenant as saying. “If we suspect anyone is driving while under the influence, officers will show zero tolerance for drunk or drugged driving.”

In the five-year period from 2007 to 2011, as many as 4,169 people were killed nationwide in the month of December in DUI-related crashes, the communiqué noted, adding that California accounted for 505 of the deaths.

The LAPD offers these tips to remain sober and safe during the holidays:

• Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving

• If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving.  Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.

• If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.

• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.

• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.