Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies will join other agencies across the country Friday in stepping up patrols to search for impaired motorists as part of a national campaign to discourage drunken driving during the holiday season.
The national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign began Friday and will continue through New Year’s Day. Sheriff’s officials said the agency will have additional deputies on patrol on the lookout for possibly impaired motorists.
“We want to make sure everyone gets home safely so that they can celebrate the holiday season with their families and loved ones,” sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Lennig said in a statement. “Not only is driving impaired illegal, but it is also dangerous and never acceptable. We are asking everyone to do their part to keep themselves and everyone on the roads safe.”
According to the sheriff’s department, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that 1,038 people were killed in the United States in December 2023 in alcohol-related crashes. Sheriff’s officials urged people to celebrate the holidays responsibly and designate a sober driver, use public transit or call a taxi or ride-hailing vehicle when drinking.
Officials also noted that prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, cannabis and other drugs can also cause impaired driving, not just alcohol.