Hollister Police Department plans to crack down on drunk drivers Labor Day Weekend

As Labor Day Weekend approaches, local police make plans to keep roadways safe.

The Hollister Police Department is planning to monitor the roads more closely over the holiday weekend. They said they will focus on the downtown area, which they expect to be bustling over labor day.

Sergeant, Don Pershall, said the department has seen trends in incidents involving drunk driving over the holidays.

“People do like to celebrate in ways maybe they shouldn’t on holidays. We generally do see an increase in impaired driving over the holidays, so we like to get out there and try to make the roads as safe as possible,” said Pershall.

The Hollister Police Department said they will be setting up a DUI checkpoint downtown, sometime over the weekend.

Pershall shared that it is not only the drunk drivers that they will crack down on. He said they are looking out for other forms of impaired driving, as well.

“We have seen an increase in marijuana related DUIs since the new laws have passed. Definitely seen an increase in that. So we really want people to understand that smoking marijuana or even prescription drugs, or even some of the over the counter drugs, can lead to impaired driving,” said Pershall.

The Hollister Police Department said that accidents involving impaired drivers can be reduced by up to 20% with the help of DUI checkpoints.

Some residents, like Guadalupe Barragan, are pleased to know the police will be monitoring the roads.

“It will be more crowded but I’m hoping with all the checkpoints people will be more careful when they’re driving. And ya know, that they have designated drivers,” said Barragan.

The Hollister Police Department said their hope is that this effort will reduce the number of accidents in the area and encourage people to think before getting behind the wheel.