Local law enforcement cracking down on drunk drivers

“Thirty percent of our fatal collisions in this county are because of drugs and alcohol,” said California Highway Patrol officer Oscar Loza. “So what we want to do is we want to reduce that, we want to save people’s lives.

As part of the Avoid the 20 Campaign the California Highway Patrol is joining forces with more than a dozen other agencies to put more officers on the roads during times when people are more likely to drink.

“With more officers we have more chances of catching drunk drivers,” said Loza.

This New Year’s Eve CHP says they’ll be looking for cars that are weaving and speeding and cars with minor violations like non-working headlights.

“Plan before you go out,” said Loza. “So either have a designated driver or plan to have a taxi or get an Uber.”

Attorneys say a DUI could take a person up to a year to clear and at minimum cost them about $5,000 in fees and fines.

“It’s cheaper to take a cab anywhere in Monterey county than its going to be to get a DUI,” said attorney Phillip Crawford.

Crawford says a DUI can also mean a suspended license, a hike in insurance rates and even time behind bars.

“For some people it’s a real eye opener and they change their ways,” said Crawford. “Most people are never going to do it again.”

The Monterey Area Highway Patrol says last year it made more than 1,100 DUI arrests.

This weekend they’ll have extra officers on staff to help crack down on drunk driving.