The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department is planning on a full-scale crackdown on impaired drivers this holiday season.
The sheriff's department will be conducting driving under the influence checkpoints throughout December, as well as patrol efforts.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2012, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes nationwide. That accounts for one every 51 minutes. Over 800 of those died on California roadways.
Outside of the potential for deadly consequences, those individuals arrested for drunken driving face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towed, and collision repair, and lost wages due to time off from work.
Funding for the operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The sheriff's department recommends people keep these guidelines in mind:
• Even one drink can impair judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk or worse, the risk of having a crash while 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.