The Riverside County Sheriff's Department has boosted its patrols to reduce accidents in conjunction with the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" enforcement campaign.
According to a press release, the campaign runs Dec. 14 through New Year's Day, during which time the department will have additional deputies on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
Riverside County Deputy Sgt. Claro Sanchez explained the goal of the campaign is to stop suspected impaired drivers who put others on the road at risk during the holiday season.
A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in 2020, 11,654 people were killed in car crashes nationwide that involved an alcohol-impaired driver, or one person every 45 minutes. Additionally, the department reminds drivers that impaired driving is not just from alcohol but includes marijuana, prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs.
“The holidays are a special time of year for many, and we want drivers to act responsibly,” Deputy Sanchez said in the press release. “This enforcement period allows us to get the message out that driving impaired is an illegal, senseless behavior that takes lives.”
According to Sgt. Sanchez's report, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department is encouraging everyone who is planning to consume alcohol to either stay in for the night or have a "go safely" game plan. A "go safely" game plan could be scheduling a ride or designating a sober driver, Sgt. Sanchez said.