Local law enforcement looking for drunken drivers during holidays
BARSTOW • Santa Claus isn’t the only person that’s busy this time of year – local law enforcement officers will also be putting in extra hours during the holiday season.
The Barstow Police Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol area all preparing for increased traffic and criminal activity in the coming weeks.
The Barstow Police Department and the sheriff’s department are participating in an “Avoid the 25 in San Bernardino County” traffic safety program that runs from December 18 to January 3, according to reports from the police and sheriff’s departments. The program is a collaboration of 25 San Bernardino County law enforcement agencies working together to enforce traffic laws and investigate traffic collisions involving alcohol.
Both departments are going to be increasing patrols during the holiday season, and the sheriff’s department will be holding DUI checkpoints throughout the county.
Nearly 900 people were arrested for driving under the influence in San Bernardino County during the winter holiday program last year, according to the sheriff’s report.
Officers recommend designating a sober driver, leaving your car at home, staying where you’re drinking, taking a taxi or not to drinking during the holiday season.
The weekends around Christmas and New Year’s are also a maximum enforcement periods for the CHP, according to officer Paul Ellis. The Christmas maximum enforcement periods begins on December 24 and ends on December 28. The New Year’s Day enforcement begins on Dec. 31 and ends on January 4. All available officers will be on patrol across the state during the maximum enforcement periods.
Ellis said that although there is a three-day gap between the enforcement periods, drivers should use caution because there will be more officers on patrol in the Barstow area during those days as well.
“During this time of year we try and get as many officers on the road as possible,” Ellis said. “We’re looking for everything. There can be more accidents and there are more drunk drivers. People are in vacation mode.”
Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4126 or dheldreth@desertdispatch.com
