SRPD Urges Drivers to Be Responsible for Upcoming Holiday Weekend

Independence Day is coming up. That means barbecues, boats, fireworks and DUI checks.

The , along with the Avoid the 13 Marin County DUI Task Force, will be heavily patrolling the area throughout the holiday weekend.

“We want people to be careful all weekend, but particularly at night,” Police Chief Matt Odetto said.  “The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2009 was four times higher at night than during the day.”

Odetto wants to remind drivers that, other than the physical harm that could occur due to driving under the influence, the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest can be significant. 

DUI drivers can face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates and dozens of other unanticipated expenses, he said.

Over the past 25 years, nearly half of all fatal crashes over of the July 4 holiday involved some kind of alcohol, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“The summer holidays are some of the deadliest time periods on our roadways so everyone must remember to be responsible and plan ahead,” Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety Chris Murphy said.  “Just know everyone traveling down the road near you has a cell phone and will call 911 to report a suspected drunk driver.”