Avoid the 13 Seeking Drunk Drivers

Annual holiday crackdown begins
This weekend area law enforcement agencies celebrate the holiday season by kicking off their “Avoid the 13” campaign targeting impaired drivers.

“We’re committed to keeping our community’s roads safe this holiday season,” said Morgan Hill Police Chief Bruce Cumming. “Driving under the influence is a crime – and if you’re caught, you will be arrested.”

To jump-start the special enforcement, MHPD operated a checkpoint Friday night at Dunne Avenue and Walnut Grove.

There are two functions for a checkpoint, according to police: to educate the public about the dangers of driving under the influence and to apprehend impaired drivers who pass through the checkpoint. Drivers were given an informational brochure and then checked for symptoms of driving under the influence. 

Special enforcement will continue during the campaign, which extends through New Year’s Day.

The campaign, which is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, uses mobile “strike teams” as well as sobriety checkpoints to remove drunk drivers from the road, as well as discouraging them from driving in the first place.

MHPD Sgt. Mark Brazeal, who is coordinating the department’s effort, said officers would like to remind the public to designate a driver before celebrating with alcoholic beverages.