The California Highway Patrol will begin a “maximum enforcement period” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, continuing through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 7. All available officers will be on the streets searching for impaired motorists.
“Do not lose your freedom while celebrating our country’s independence this weekend by making a bad choice,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Driving impaired comes with consequences that can be deadly. Driving sober, fastening seat belts and avoiding distractions will help everyone stay safe on the roadway.”
During last year’s one-day Fourth of July MEP, the CHP arrested 389 motorists on suspicion of DUI statewide, compared to 1,244 in the 2017 campaign, which spanned four days. According to the agency, 18 people were killed in collisions investigated by the CHP during the 2018 enforcement effort.
Local law enforcement agencies are warning residents against drinking and driving.
“We say it often – there are so many options, there is no reason to drive intoxicated, buzzed or under the influence of marijuana,” states a news release from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.
People planning to drink over the holiday weekend are urged arrange for a designated driver or rely on public transit, taxis or ride-hailing services.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, meanwhile, will be offering its free Tipsy Tow service from 6 p.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday in 13 counties. The service officers motorists a free tow home up to seven miles.
The service is restricted to a one-way, one-time ride for the driver to the residence listed on the motorist’s driver’s license. For rides longer than seven miles, drivers will have to pay the normal rate charged by the two truck operator.
To take advantage of the service, people should call 800-400-4222 and say, “I need a Tipsy Tow.”
–
Robert says
This article is NOT about fireworks fines. This article is about drunken and drug-impaired drivers, and this is why all available officers will be on the streets.
Tom says
This story is about drunk driving not fireworks fines. Read the whole story before you start making comments that’s why half the news in the AV is BS because people don’t read or listen or make crap up.
Alexis says
Thank you Tom. Was just going to say that.
KaboomGoesTheHood says
Sure hope the CHP’s drunk driver crackdown was more successful than Palmdale’s illegal fireworks crackdown… because that was decidedly NOT successful. Boulder Ranch/The Terraces/Joshua Hills looked like a war zone – just like it does every year.
Operation Epic says
Deporting all undocumented and their anchors would solve the majority of issues facing California.
Trump 2020*2 says
I totally agree. In fact, I don’t want to deport just their anchors, but their entire ship. I mean, who brings a ship illegally from Tijuana anyways? That’s just silly.
Thank you +Jesus+ says
Operation – Get some help sweetie, you seem to be holding on to a lot of hate. But we could start by deporting melania and her family
Igancio P. says
Melania cam here legally.
trump LIES , says
Melania had an expired visa she lied about her status, about having an education she used her “special skills” to catch a ugly fat rich guy , trump just recently gave her anchor parents citizenship . FACTS !!!
Trumpist#1 says
Yes sir, I agree completely !!!
Get the illegals out and the quality of life will improve here exponentially with fewer accidents, less crime, more available services such as health care and law enforcement, better schools, etc.
Facts!
MAGA and KAG
Ignacio P. says
Hope you have patrols in lake L.A. Bombs have been going off all week. Its hard to give an exact address when they are all over and super loud.
I can hear them everynight says
How bout cracking down on illegal fireworks off of 30St E and Pearblossom, they sound like bombs they’re scaring all the dogs in the neighborhood.
Laughing says
How about giving officers a bit more information like the address they are launching from, or the nearest cross street
Tim Scott says
I am sort of amused at the cops being apparently incapable of locating fireworks. I’ve been watching out my window…same launch point, continuous bursts, for about two hours. If the cops are the LEAST bit interested they’d be able to find the spot blindfolded just by the sound. Are they not interested, or are they that genuinely incapable?
Nadia says
They’re not interested, because this article is about impaired drivers, not about chasing down people setting off fireworks.
John says
If anyone was unable to locate the illegal fireworks, one must be blind and deaf.
Tim Scott says
In defense of the cops, even though I was mocking them merrily, there is a big difference between “locating” and being able to actually bust someone.
In my neighborhood there is an intersection where a massive display is launched every 4th of July and new year’s eve. Both streets are lined for three or four blocks and further with happy fireworks watchers…including some a bit further out with cell phones ready to call in a warning. By the time any cop that comes into the neighborhood gets anywhere close to the intersection all they will see there is more people out on their lawns to WATCH the show, just like they have been driving past for blocks. Watching isn’t a crime.
The cops will NOT see anyone light off any illegal fireworks. They will NOT see anyone in possession of illegal fireworks. And they can’t cite what they don’t see.
Ban all FIRE works says
How bout cracking down on illegal fireworks too? Ban all fireworks now!!!!!!
Maximum Enforcement Period says
It is going to be a long weekend in the AV.