Riverside County sheriff’s deputies and officers from other law enforcement agencies throughout the region will be stepping up patrols Saturday to catch Cinco de Mayo celebrants who risk drinking, or drugging, and driving.
Anti-DUI enforcement deployments will be conducted all day Monday, mostly involving saturation patrols, in multiple locations.
“Don’t put yourself and others on the road at risk by driving impaired,” a statement released by the sheriff’s department said. “If you’re planning to celebrate with a drink or two, leave your keys at home and designate a sober driver.”
In cities throughout the county, police officers will be closely monitoring traffic activity, enforcing a “zero tolerance” policy toward impaired driving, according to public safety officials.
They emphasized party-goers have the option of calling a cab, using public transit or hailing a private ride service like Lyft or Uber.
A misdemeanor DUI conviction in California can result in fines up to $10,000, jail time and revocation of a driver’s license.
Cinco de Mayo, or May 5, officially commemorates a Mexican military victory in the struggle to maintain independence during the 19th century. However, it has been adopted as a general cultural festival in the U.S.