Marin Law Enforcement Plans Holiday Crackdown on Drunken Driving

Marin law enforcement agencies will be out in full force for the holidays with DUI checkpoints and increased patrols.

Marin sheriff's deputies, as well as local police departments and the California Highway Patrol will be deploying officers for Christmas and New Years
weekends. The enforcement crackdown will run from Dec. 14 through Jan. 1.

“Lots of folks will be out during this busy holiday season, enjoying themselves and the holiday festivities, and we want everyone to be safe on our roadways,” San Rafael Police Chief Diana Bishop said in a release. “That’s why we will be stepping up enforcement to catch and arrest impaired drivers. Please be forewarned. If you are caught driving impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses.”

In 2010, more than 10,000 people were killed nationwide in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving an impaired driver. In California, 791 people were killed. During December 2010, 30 percent of all fatalities in motor vehicle traffic collisions involved alcohol-impaired drivers.

“No one ever thinks that their holiday celebration will end in jail, or worse, in a hospital or the morgue,” Bishop said. “But for those who include alcohol in their celebrations and then get behind the wheel, this is too often the case.”

Schedule of DUI checkpoints:

• Friday, Dec. 14 in San Rafael from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Friday, Dec. 21 in Novato (hours TBA)
• Friday, Dece. 28 in San Rafael from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Checkpoint locations are not yet available.

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