Law enforcement conducts 18-day holiday DUI crackdown on Central Coast

This holiday season drivers should be on their best behavior and drive responsibly as law enforcement agencies across the Central Coast are cracking down on those under the influence.

The 18-day DUI crackdown started December 15, and goes through January 1.

The increased enforcement is a partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a special year-end Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over to get impaired drivers off the street.

Police, sheriff and CHP will be deploying DUI checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols throughout the region.

“It is vital that we keep our roads and our traveler’s safe, not just at the holidays, but every day. With extra travelers on the roads, and people attending holiday parties, we will likely see an uptick in drunk driving,” said Watsonville Police.

In 2016, there were 1,059 DUI deaths reported in California. In recent years, the state has seen an increase in drug-impaired driving crashes.

Members from the Office of Traffic Safety want to remind drivers to plan ahead. Before you celebrate, know what sober driver or service you will be using.