With St. Patrick’s Day upon us, a handful of Californians are likely to celebrate by getting together with friends and family to enjoy a drink or two. However, drinking and driving is never a good combination. If you plan on going to a bar or friend’s house to enjoy some green beer tonight or this weekend, please plan on leaving your car keys at home and having a designated, sober driver, or cab number on hand.
St. Patrick’s Day DUI checkpoints are planned throughout Southern California. However, not every DUI checkpoint in California has been publically announced and some may be subject to change. DUI Checkpoints & Crime on the Road, Sobriety Checkpoints reports that the Long Beach Police Department reports a citywide DUI Saturation Patrol will be conducted on Saturday, March 19, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. By releasing information about DUI checkpoints that will be held, the Long Beach Police Department hopes that drivers will refrain from drinking and driving. Law enforcement takes Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest very seriously and signs throughout California are advising motorists to help keep roads safe by reporting drivers they suspect to be drunk by calling 9-1-1.
Drunk Driving Facts reports that The Los Angeles Police Department has also announced DUI Saturation Patrols and Sobriety Checkpoints:
- March 16, 2011 (Wednesday) – Central Area from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- March 18, 2011 (Friday) – Central Area on Figueroa Street between 8th Street and 9th Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- March 19, 2011 (Saturday) – Hollywood Area on Highland Avenue at Odin Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- March 20, 2011 (Sunday) –Harbor Area from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
It is crucial for motorists to remember that buzzed driving is considered to be drunk driving to law enforcement. To avoid a DUI arrest, never drive while impaired and never let your friends drive if they have been consuming alcohol.
A drunk driving conviction in California can lead to driver’s license suspension, steep fines, jail time, and other serious consequences, thus making a wrongful DUI arrest all the more daunting. A Los Angeles DUI attorney with years of experience successfully defending the rights of those charged with drunk driving will evaluate the specifics surrounding your arrest. At Sitkoff & Hanrahan, our Los Angeles County drunk driving defense lawyers are familiar with common and effective defenses to DUI charges. If you were arrested for drunk driving at a DUI checkpoint or during a Saturation Patrol, call us today at 866-430-8383 for a free consultation.
Stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day!