This coming Monday, the last Monday in the month of May, is the day that the United States remembers those who died while serving in the armed forces. Memorial Day also unofficially marks the beginning of summer and many people bring in the summer with a three day weekend of barbequing, getting together with family and friends, and drinking.
Law enforcement is well aware that drunk drivers will be hitting the roads this weekend and officers will be out in full force. In fact, the Memorial Day weekend has proven to be one of the weekends with highest amount of DUI arrests in California.
In California last year, CHP made 1,111 arrests of drunk drivers and nineteen people were killed in traffic collisions. In 2013, CHP made 1,133 DUI arrests and fifteen people died in traffic collisions over the Memorial Day weekend.
Last year in Los Angeles County, 254 alleged drunk drivers were arrested. In 2013, Los Angeles County saw 245 DUI arrests during the holiday weekend.
Last year in Orange County, CHP made 62 DUI arrests over the Memorial Day weekend. The year before, they made only 11 DUI arrests.
The tips for preventing a DUI and possibly saving lives remain the same:
- Appoint a designated driver. Make sure that the designated driver remains sober. Often is the case that “designated drivers” just don’t drink as much as their passengers. This is not a designated driver, but someone who runs the risk of getting arrested for drunk driving.
- Use alternative means of transportation. We live in a time where a trolley is not the only way to get somewhere without driving. Take a taxi if you can get one. If you can’t, use Uber or Lyft or another ridesharing app. Although a little more expensive, they more available and a little nicer than a cab.
- Stay the night. If you attend a party or barbeque, ask the host if you can crash on the couch.
- Don’t drink. This may not be the most appealing option if you want to partake in the festivities. However, it is the only surefire way to avoid a California DUI if you plan on driving this Memorial Day weekend.
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