Cinco de Mayo DUI Patrols to Begin Tonight

Los Angeles County law enforcement agencies will be deploying DUI saturation patrols to stop, test and arrest impaired drivers during Cinco de Mayo festivities this weekend.

Initiated by the Avoid the 100 Los Angeles County DUI Task Force, the campaign will begin deploying patrols throughout the county starting Friday, May 4 at 6 p.m. through Sunday.

California Highway Patrol will also deploy saturation patrols onto freeways and in unincorporated county jurisdictions. 

With Cinco de Mayo festivities in full swing, law enforcement agencies are expecting a higher number of intoxicated drivers this weekend.

According to a press statement, DUI statistics indicate the highest number of DUI deaths and injuries occurring late Saturday night to early Sunday morning.

The Avoid the 100 offers these tips for a safe Cinco de Mayo:

• Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before the drinking begins.
• Venue hosts should identify and provide free non-alcoholic drinks or other promotional items to the Designated Driver Party hosts. Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours.
• If you are going to a party cut back on the amount of drinks you plan to bring to the party – and provide plenty of food.
• If you see dangerous driving, Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1!

“In this day and age, there is no excuse for driving drunk,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “Before heading out for the celebration, just take one minute to designate your sober driver.”

Avoid the 100 DUI Task Force funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.