Avoid the 13 starts with checkpoint tonight
Once again the Morgan Hill Police Department is joining forces with other agencies around the area, including the California Highway Patrol and Sheriff’s Office, as well as Gilroy Police Department and San Jose Police Department, to keep the area roads safe this holiday season.
“Avoid the 13” is the annual campaign, named after the original 13 participating law enforcement agencies, designed to focus on unsafe drivers during the time of year when many people are out celebrating at parties or with family. A celebration can turn into a tragedy when someone who has been drinking gets behind the wheel.
Officers from agencies all over the Bay Area will be working overtime to look out for dangerous drivers. Extra patrol officers will be on duty, and their sole focus, according to the MHPD, will be to identify and arrest drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Last year in Morgan Hill, the number of DUI arrests was down by six from the year before, and countywide, arrests were down by 45.
“Avoid the 13” spokesman Vic Heman said he attributed the decrease to people finally getting the message from law enforcement agencies and groups like MADD, or Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Heman said stiff penalties may have helped make others decide to stay off the road. A first-time offender can pay $8,000-10,000 in fines, fees and legal representation plus spend three years on probation, possibly 48 hours in jail and lose their license for four months.
An underage drinker who is convicted of driving under the influence loses his or her driver’s license for one year, and their car is impounded.
As a part of “Avoid the 13,” MHPD will set up a DUI checkpoint today from 9pm to 1am on Monterey Road south of John Wilson Way.
Drivers passing through the check point will be evaluated for symptoms of driving under the influence and given an educational brochure which highlights the dangers of driving under the influence.
The checkpoint is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety.
MHPD and CHP officers recommend choosing a designated driver before going to a party or a bar or restaurant where there will be drinking.
Some bars and restaurants will provide free soda to designated drivers. If there is no designated driver, officers say, call a taxi or stay the night. Many seasonal partygoers plan in advance and hire a limousine for the evening or book a hotel room and take taxis or walk.
