Sheriff Strongly Encourages Responsible Merrymaking
Patrols Aim to Nail Drunk Drivers during Wine-Soaked North County Events
Those planning to attend the Santa Barbara County Vintners Festival or the Lompoc Spring Arts Festival, both on April 19, it might be best to pay some extra attention to your responsible driving. This year, as a result of last year’s seventy-seven car stops, sixteen DUI investigations and four arrests, twenty-two officers have been enlisted to concentrate on monitoring drunk driving in the Lompoc and Santa Ynez Valleys.
In a press statement, Deputy Win Smith said he was pleased to see a good number of limousines and buses on the road last year, as well as the abundant number of designated drivers. According to Smith, the best way to enjoy an event such as a wine tasting is to designate a sober driver for the event. “The designated driver is the key to having a lot of fun but staying out of a world of trouble,” Smith said, adding, “Remember that the designated driver is the one who stays stone-cold sober all day and night, not the one who’s had the least to drink.”
Apart from the police departments, many of the winery staff has been trained in how to prevent over-serving and DUI driving.
