Upcoming DUI Checkpoints Announced For Goleta

As party-goers celebrate the holidays with friends and family, everyone should heed the Goleta Police Department’s warning to keep the party off the road or be ready to face the consequences. Law Enforcement will be out in force beginning December 17 through the New Year’s weekend cracking down on anyone caught drunk or drugged behind the wheel.

The Goleta Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver License checkpoint in partnership with the Avoid DUI Task Force Campaigns and law enforcement nationwide on Friday, December 17 between 7pm and 3am at an undisclosed location within the city.

“After hearing about the dangers of drinking and driving time after time, most people have gotten the message that if they’re planning on drinking, they should always plan a safe way home,” said Goleta Police Chief Butch Arnoldi. “But sadly, millions of Americans still think they are invincible and regularly choose to get behind the wheel after having too much to drink.”

The Goleta Police Department said parents should take note that young males are at particularly high risk, with nearly one-quarter admitting to riding with someone who should not have been behind the wheel in the past year.

“We know that the holiday season can be one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America’s roadways due to an increase in drunk driving,” said Chief Arnoldi. “Don’t let your 2010 end in an arrest or worse, injury or death. Remember, whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk!”

During last year’s two and half week Winter Holiday campaign, 36 Californians were killed in crashes statewide with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher and another 1,168 were injured in alcohol involved wrecks. In Santa Barbara County, there was 1 killed with a BAC of .08 percent or higher and another 12 injured in alcohol involved collisions.

Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Goleta Police Department recommends these simple tips for a safe holiday season:

– Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;

– Before drinking, designate a sober driver;

– If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;

– If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement.

– And remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

For more information on local and statewide Avoid DUI Task Force Campaign Enforcement Schedules and Daily DUI Arrest/Fatal Stats, visit this website. The Program is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety who reminds everyone to please – Report Drunk Driving – Call 9-1-1!