San Diego County Sheriff Gets Help Fighting DUIs for Holiday 2008
This holiday season the San Diego County Sheriff’s department is ready to combat drivers who drive while under the influence. They may be better prepared than ever. San Diego County sheriff’s department was just awarded a $1.1 million-dollar grant to increase DUI patrols and checkpoints.
Paid out over the next three years, the AVOID program grant will cover extra shifts for 760 deputies (6,000 extra hours), 32 additional DUI checkpoints, and 207 saturation patrols. All this aimed directly at drivers who may have had too much to drink.
Pat Hodgkin from Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that drunk driving crashes kill two people every week in San Diego County on average. She hopes with this AVOID program grant, those numbers will change.
"Everybody is behind this. Everybody is very excited about this," Hodgkin said.
Corporal Jason King with the sheriff's department agrees. "Economically this is going to put extra officers and deputies out on the street to actively pursue DUI enforcement."
Sixteen separate police agencies will join for the program in cities in San Diego County, including Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, El Cajon, Escondido, La Mesa, National City, Oceanside and San Diego. The money will also provide beefed-up patrols for big drinking events through the year, including opening day at Del Mar racetrack, St. Patrick’s Day in downtown San Diego, and events at Qualcomm stadium.
The grant money goes into action this weekend, with seven DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols across the county.
Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County
A San Diego County DUI is expensive in 2008, with court costs, fines and fees, drivers arrested for DUI could be looking at a cost over $10,000. In California, it is unlawful for any person under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug to drive.
If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with driving under the influence or DUI if apprehended. You could face a fine and jail time if convicted.
Sheriff's Department Lands Million-Dollar DUI Grant, CBS8.com, December 11, 2008
Related Web Resources
California DMV guidelines regarding driving under the influence
California DMV: DUI procedures
If you have been arrested and charged with DUI in San Diego county, then trust your case to an experienced San Diego criminal defense attorney. Attorney Victor A. Orsatti will explain your legal options during a free consultation.
