Pasadena PD hosting grant-funded traffic safety programs for ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign

The Pasadena Police Department announced on Monday that starting on Wednesday, Dec. 15, and lasting throughout New Year’s Day, they will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. 

The extra enforcement is part of the national campaign – “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” — with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others on the road at risk.

At the height of these efforts, Pasadena PD will be conducting a Traffic Enforcement program on Friday, Dec. 17, throughout the city of Pasadena. 

The need for driver education and enforcement is ongoing due to traffic volumes within the city. Officers will be deployed at various locations throughout Pasadena to look for violations including, but not limited to, primary collision factors involving speed, red signals, and pedestrian-related violations. When violations are observed, violators will be cited and educated on the safety concerns associated with the violation.

That Friday night, the department also announced that they are holding a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint at an undisclosed location within city limits.

“The safety of our community is and always will be our mission,” Lieutenant Anthony Russo said. “We are looking for impaired drivers because driving under the influence is dangerous and puts others on the road at risk.”

Checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints, according to Pasadena PD, is not to make arrests, but rather to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

Funding for these programs is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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