Officers from the Pasadena Police Department’s DUI Enforcement Team will be deploying this weekend to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers in the department’s ongoing traffic safety campaign.
DUI Saturation Patrols will deploy Friday between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m., in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.
Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.
Additionally, everyone should be mindful that if you are taking medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects.
Law enforcement emphasizes that there are many options in preventing driving under the influence and all it takes is some pre-planning. Some of these preventable options involve identifying a designated driver, utilizing a taxi, or contacting one of the many rideshare options. But whatever you do, do not drink and drive.
In addition to these options, the California Office of Traffic Safety has created a free mobile application called Designated Driver VIP (DDVIP). This app offers the user the ability to connect with local establishments that provide incentives for designated drivers.
Funding for this DUI operation is provided to Pasadena Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As a reminder, report drunk drivers and call 911.
