As summer comes to a close, Morgan Hill Police will ramp up their efforts to bust impaired drivers on local roads.
From Aug. 16 to Sept. 2 (Labor Day), MHPD will place additional officers on the roadways looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to a press release. Furthermore, from 7pm to 2am Aug. 30, the police department will conduct a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint at an undisclosed intersection within the city limits.
The local police department’s efforts are part of the nationwide law enforcement campaign known as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
Labor Day weekend is one of the deadliest times of year for alcohol-involved crashes, according to police. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 376 deadly crashes nationwide during the 2017 Labor Day holiday period (Sept. 1 to Sept. 5). Among those crashes, more than one-third (36 percent) involved a drunk driver. In 2018, two people were killed, and 31 others injured in California on Labor Day alone.
“There are so many ways to get home safely without driving,” MHPD Sgt. Ray Ramos said. “Driving while drunk or high is dangerous, irresponsible and causes too many senseless tragedies. We hope that drivers get the message that driving impaired will never be tolerated.”
The MHPD press release reminded motorists that driving while impaired is illegal, whether it is alcohol, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications or marijuana.
“If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your driving ability, designate a sober driver or use a ride-share service. If you see someone driving impaired, call 911,” reads the press release.
Funding for DUI enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.