Los Angeles County, CA – While
alcohol-impaired driving remains the most serious problem on our
roadways, the percentage of drivers in fatal crashes with other impairing
substances in their system keeps rising. Faced with more instances
of DUID – Driving Under the Influence of Drugs – state and local
officials are reiterating the message that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.”
The message takes on increased importance with the state set to begin
licensing commercial nonmedical marijuana sales on January 1, 2018, under
provisions of Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department DUI Enforcement Team will be
deploying this holiday weekend to stop and arrest alcohol and
drug-impaired drivers. DUI Saturation Patrols and a DUI/Drivers
License Checkpoint will deploy during the weekend between the hours of
6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions
and/or arrests. These extra deputies on the road, along with
routine patrols, are aimed to drastically reduce impaired driving on our
community’s roadways.
“It has taken more than 35 years to convince the vast majority of the
public that driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous, illegal
and socially unacceptable,” said Rhonda Craft, Director of the Office of
Traffic Safety. “With more dying on our roadways every day, we can’t
afford to take that long when it comes to driving under the influence of
prescription medications, marijuana, illicit drugs and even some
over-the-counter medications.”
In the ten years from 2005-2015, the percentage of drivers in fatal
crashes with an impairing drug other than alcohol in their system has
risen from 26.2 percent to 42.6 percent. As far back as 2012, a
roadside survey in California showed more drivers tested positive for
drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3
percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4
percent, slightly more than alcohol.
In addition to marijuana, a driver could be subject to a DUI arrest if
they are under the influence of prescription medications like sleep aids,
tranquilizers, barbiturates, opiates and other pain killers,
anti-depressants, and even over-the-counter allergy or cough medications.
In the face of more drug-impaired drivers on the road, Police, Sheriff
and CHP are training more officers in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving
Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Evaluation (DRE). The advanced
training augments the Standardized Field Sobriety Test to help identify
what substances other than alcohol a driver may be impaired by and how
seriously they are impaired.
During December, the Office of Traffic Safety ran public awareness
announcements concerning prescription medication DUI. Starting
December 27 and running through much of January, the emphasis of the “DUI
Doesn’t Just Mean Booze” campaign switches to one that points out that no
matter your age or circumstance, and no matter your reasons for consuming
marijuana, you should never drive while high. OTS has posted this
PSA on social media with the hopes that it can reach every Californian
with the safety message that marijuana impaired driving will end in an
arrest -
Plan your sober ride home before the party begins this holiday weekend.
Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,”
free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find
nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the
designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free
appetizers and more. The app has social media tie-ins and even a
tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.
Funding for this DUI operation is provided to Your Police
Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety,
through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding
everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’
“DUI doesn’t just mean Booze” Joint 30 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaaz4LH3hfs
“DUI doesn’t just mean Booze” Prescription 30 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiFnPN6ZjsQ
“DUI doesn’t just mean Booze” Joint (Spanish) 30 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiFnPN6ZjsQ
“DUI doesn’t just mean Booze” Prescription (Spanish) 30 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jzqtVLU_R0
“One Sober Moment” 30 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-BjprUV4Yk
“One Sober Moment” 15 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl8dUck4lDc
This one is about drunk driving and distracted driving: “It’s Not Worth
It”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNnat1RQoBA
AS A DRIVER, PLAN AHEAD WITH THESE TIPS:
Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself
before the drinking begins
Identify and provide free non-alcoholic drinks or other promotional items
to the Designated Driver
Party hosts and servers must limit drinks to your guests or patrons.
Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours.
Cut back on the amount of drinks you plan to bring to the party – and
provide plenty of food.
MEDIA NOTES: To schedule an interview regarding the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department Traffic Safety Operations, please contact Sergeant
Robert L. Hill at 323-890-5400 or via email at
RLHill@lasd.org.
Forwarded by:
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Hall of Justice - First floor
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700
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"If You See Something, Say Something"
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your
local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA
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Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
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