Sheriff announces DUI crackdown on St. Patrick's Day weekend

SAN DIEGO - San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore announced that beginning Friday, March 15 at 6 p.m. through St. Patrick's Day weekend, a special DUI crackdown will take place countywide.

"The AVOID the 15 DUI Task Force are urging drivers to plan a safe ride home and never get behind the wheel drunk or drugged," said Gore.

Deputies and officers throughout San Diego County will be on high alert cracking down on drunk drivers as part of its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over safety campaign.

Deputies and officers will conduct DUI Patrols this Saint Patrick's Day weekend. In addition to the roaming DUI patrols, DUI/Driver's License Checkpoints are also planned for: Oceanside, Encinitas, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway, and the City of San Diego.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA says more than 700 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving drunk drivers during the Saint Patrick's Day weekend from 2006 to 2010.

“Whether you are meeting a few friends at the local pub or attending a local event or party, if alcohol is part of the festivities, make sure you designate a sober driver to get you home safely,” said Gore.

Law enforcement officials recommend the following easy steps, for a safe St. Patrick’s Day:

*Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin and designate a sober driver.

*If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to report them ‐ Call 911!

*If you know people who are about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

Funding for the grant comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.