DUI patrols planned in Merced County for long weekend

Additional police patrols and checkpoints are planned in Merced County over the Memorial Day weekend, authorities said Friday.

Law enforcement officials announced the heightened enforcement hoping to encourage residents to plan ahead and avoid driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The Merced County Avoid the 11 DUI Task Force will have additional officers patrolling the streets, targeting drunken and drugged drivers over the three-day holiday weekend. The additional enforcement effort was to begin Friday night and continue throughout the weekend.

The California Highway Patrol also will have more officers on the freeways and county roads as part of its maximum enforcement period, officials said.

“Plan ahead. Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before the drinking begins,” police said in a statement.

“Those hosting celebrations and servers must limit drinks to your guests or patrons. Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours. Identify and provide free, non-alcoholic drinks to the designated sober driver,” according to the statement.

People who see dangerous driving can report suspected drunken drivers by calling 911, police said.

“In addition to the Memorial Day DUI crackdown, law enforcement nationwide is looking to stop and ticket those who have failed to buckle up or secure young passengers,” police said.

Funding for the Avoid the 11 DUI Task Force comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This story was originally published May 22, 2015 at 8:18 AM with the headline "DUI patrols planned in Merced County for long weekend."