San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI checkpoints this weekend

More San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI police will be on the lookout for San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI drivers under the influence this weekend as authorities expect more San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI drunk drivers on the roads ahead of New Year's Eve.

The Sheriff's Department announced it will conduct a San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI checkpoint tonight from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Santee.

In San Marcos, a San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI checkpoint will take place Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. somewhere in the city.

The Sheriff's Department also announced it will not release anyone from jail who is arrested in connection with San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI driving under the influence until the first court appearence, set for next week, or unless bail is posted.

Local San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI law enforcement agencies are preparing for one of the state's most aggressive San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI crackdowns of the year, with five agencies taking part in the Avoid the Five campaign as part of California's holiday San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI DWI crackdown. California's effort coincides with the national Drunk Driving. Over the Limit, Under Arrest campaign taking part across the country.

The California Office of Traffic Safety, which provided grant funding for the Avoid program's efforts including officer overtime for San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, is also asking for the public's help in reporting suspected San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI drunk drivers by calling 911.

"Law enforcement can only do so much," said OTS Director Christopher J. Murphy. "Knowing that other motorists are going to report drunk drivers is a significant deterrent. All of our efforts are aimed at preventing a drunken driver from getting behind the wheel in the first place. One phone call really can save a life." The Tehama County Avoid the Five DUI Task Force will conduct a sobriety checkpoint in the Los Molinos area today and a saturation patrol in the northern part of the county on Monday, Dec. 31.

As of the end of Tuesday night, the North State Regional Avoid has arrested 198 drivers for DUI throughout all five counties: Butte, 60 ; Glenn, 29 arrests; Shasta, 85 arrests; Siskiyou, 12 arrests and Tehama, 12 arrests.

There were no reported DUI fatal collisions.

Law enforcement agencies report 2006 marks the eighth consecutive year in which alcohol-related fatalities have increased in California, with a 0.015 percent increase between 2005 and 2006.
"We want motorists to exercise common sense and good judgment when calling 911 to report a suspected drunken driver," said Corning Police Chief Tony Cardenas. "Under no circumstances should the public make an attempt to follow or stop the vehicle or interact with the driver. Please leave that to the trained professionals by calling 911."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the following clues can help motorists detect a drunk driver:

Appearing to be impaired or drinking in the car.
Turning with a wide radius or straddling the center of the road or lane marker.
Almost striking another object or vehicle and weaving or zigzagging across the road.
Turning abruptly or illegally and driving slower than 10 mph below the speed limit.
Following others too closely, drifting or moving in a straight line at an angle and erratic braking.
Driving into opposing or crossing traffic or driving with headlights off.
In 2006, 1,597 people were killed and 31,099 were injured in alcohol-related crashes in California, compared to 1,574 fatalities and 30,810 injuries in 2005.

The Office of Traffic Safety, through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency , awarded $4 million in grants to 98 local police departments to conduct sobriety checkpoints throughout the year, including the upcoming holiday period.

In addition, OTS has allocated $4.8 million to fund 38 DUI Avoid campaigns in 41 counties, counties, involving the California Highway Patrol and more than 400 police and sheriff's departments.

Information is available on DUI related activities and statistics from the North State Regional Avoid by contacting www.californiaavoid.org.

San Diego California Drunk Driving DUI attorneys are ready to assist ordinary people.