Highway patrol to step up DUI enforcement Friday night
All uniformed officers statewide to take part in 12-hour maximum enforcement period
– The California Highway Patrol will increase its presence on roads statewide from 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, to 5:59 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, during a maximum enforcement period focused on identifying and stopping impaired drivers, according to the highway patrol.
All uniformed highway patrol personnel will take part in the enforcement effort, according to the agency.
“The message is clear: Impaired driving will not be tolerated on California roads. It is preventable, dangerous and puts every person nearby at risk. If you plan to drink or may be impaired, arrange a sober ride home. During this statewide enforcement period, CHP personnel of every rank will make it their mission to identify and remove impaired drivers from our roads,” said Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee.
From 2022 through 2024, alcohol- or drug-impaired driving contributed to an average of nearly 800 fatal crashes each year and a total of more than 39,400 injury crashes on California roads, according to the highway patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.
During last October’s 12-hour maximum enforcement period, held over Halloween weekend, officers arrested more than 500 impaired drivers, according to the highway patrol. Officers also issued nearly 2,000 speeding citations, including 96 citations for drivers traveling faster than 100 mph.
The highway patrol asks the public to report suspected impaired drivers. According to the agency, driving unusually slowly, swerving between lanes, or nearly colliding with obstacles are a few signs that a driver may be under the influence. Anyone who sees a suspected impaired driver should call 9-1-1 and provide as much information as possible, including the vehicle’s make, model, license plate number, and direction of travel.
The highway patrol advises drivers to never drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver, and to designate a sober driver, use public transportation, or arrange a rideshare instead.
