Dec 22, 2005 11:21 am US/Pacific

Warning: Stiff Drunk-Driving Penalties This Season
DUI Charge Could Mean $1,000 Fine, Jail Term

(CBS) LOS ANGELES Motorists who drive drunk this holiday season could face a $1,000 fine, a year in jail and possibly child endangerment charges if they have a youngster in the car, the city attorney warned Thursday.

In 2004, there were 3,500 traffic fatalities between Thanksgiving and New Years -- and 37 percent of them were alcohol-related.

On Christmas Day, 47 percent of traffic fatalities were alcohol-related, said City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo.

"The holiday season is among the most dangerous time on our roads because of the increase in drunk driving," Delgadillo said.

"When you drive drunk it is neither an accident nor a mistake. It is a choice," he said.

The City Attorney's Office prosecutes more than 15,000 DUI cases every year.

Since 2001, city prosecutors have also filed child endangerment charges in all DUI cases in which a child was present in the vehicle. A child endangerment charge can result in six months in jail and a $1,000 fine in addition to the DUI penalties.

Last year, the office successfully prosecuted 156 such cases, officials said.

To avoid driving drunk, people should designated a sober driver, call a taxi or use public transportation, said City Councilman Bernard Parks.

People can ride all Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus and rail lines for free from 9 p.m. Christmas Eve through midnight Christmas Day and from 9 p.m. New Year's Eve through midnight the next day.

"Each and every person that has had a drink -- not a drink too much -- but just a drink, should make that decision to get on public transportation or find another means of transportation in the city," Parks said.

Lynnmaria Bazan, from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said she knew first-hand the physical, emotional and monetary toll drunk driving accidents have on victims. Bazan and her sister were hit by a drunken driver several years ago as they were leaving the Inglewood Forum.

"The problem is it's a preventable crime. It can be prevented. It's not an accident. It's a crash and people make the conscious decision to get in a car when they drink and drive," Bazan said.

Drivers should not be surprised to see sobriety checkpoints throughout the city, City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel said.

"During the holiday season think twice. If you've had a drink and you're not sure if you can drive, choose an alterative," Greuel said.