CHP starts holiday DUI crackdown

California Highway Patrol officers said that drivers tend to be all wrapped up in the holidays and forget about road safety.

However, there has been a decrease in the number of DUI arrests compared to this time last year.

Officer Landon Calhoun said, “We want to put as many officers on the road as we possibly can to decrease the possibility of traffic collisions and DUI drivers.”

Calhoun said CHP wants their presence known on the roadways. From December 12 to 21, officers have made 46 DUI arrests. That number is lower than the 70 arrests made this time last year.

CHP said there has been no traffic deaths related to drunk or drugged driving.

According to Monterey County Highway Patrol, 98 percent of the drivers in Monterey County wear their seatbelts, and the other 2 percent count for 40 percent of the fatal accidents.

For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, CHP said all scheduled patrol officers will focus on stopping DUI drivers.

On Highway 1, near Marina, Calhoun pulled over a car he said was swerving.

Turns out the driver was sober and his vehicle was drifting over the line because of the strong winds.

And for the drivers that have a drink, Calhoun said
“Call for a ride, get a taxi, do anything except drive.”

Calhoun said it’s not worth risking death or getting arrested.