Fourth of July DUI crackdown underway

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11/ CNS) - California Highway Patrol officers will be ramping up patrols on state highways and roads Tuesday night and Wednesday to catch motorists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as part of the agency's annual Fourth of July crackdown.

The CHP's ``maximum enforcement period'' will start at 6 p.m. Tuesday and conclude at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, during which all available officers will hit the streets for targeted anti-DUI patrols.

"Do not let a day of festivities turn into a day of tragedy,'' CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. ``If you drive impaired, you risk your life and the lives of others on the road. Motorists will help make everyone's holiday safer by driving sober, fastening their seat belts and avoiding distractions.''

During last year's Fourth of July MEP, the CHP arrested 1,244 motorists on suspicion of DUI statewide, compared to 1,144 in the 2016 campaign. The 2017 MEP spanned four days. According to the agency, 47 people were killed in collisions investigated by the CHP during that time.

The CHP, along with other law enforcement organizations in Los Angeles and Orange counties, are taking part in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's ``Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over'' campaign.
"The days around the July 4th holiday are some of the deadliest on our roads due to drunk drivers,'' according to an NHTSA statement. ``Protect yourself and your neighbors ... by always driving sober -- on Independence Day and throughout the year.''