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Hundreds of Drivers Arrested for DUI over Memorial Day Weekend

During major holiday weekends, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department increases its efforts to crack down on drunk driving. The Daily Breeze reports that 529 people were arrested in Los Angeles County over the Memorial Day weekend this year. Furthermore, 35 DUI arrests were made in Orange County. Throughout California, 1,133 people were arrested for driving under the influence and 15 DUI-related fatalities were reported over the holiday weekend.

The Los Angeles County arrests were made as part of the “Avoid the 100 Los Angeles County DUI Campaign.” Funding for the campaign comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This campaign involves a DUI task force that utilizes sobriety checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols throughout the county.

The DUI task force uses the patrols and checkpoints to arrest impaired drivers in a highly visible manner to deter drunk driving. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the task force will be out in full force this coming July 4 as well as the Labor Day holiday weekend.

It is advisable for all Los Angeles drivers to plan ahead and arrange for rides home. Being convicted of a DUI in California can cost you thousands of dollars. A March 14, 2013 news report in The Los Angeles Times showed that even a first drunk driving conviction could cost nearly $16,000. The Automobile Club of Southern California reached the estimate by calculating mandated state and local fines, penalties, legal fees, increased insurance costs and restitution.

The estimate does not include time away from work or the financial expenses incurred by jail time, bail amounts or vehicle maintenance. If you or a loved one has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer who will help successfully fight the charges.

Posted in: DUI
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