Merced law enforcement targeting drunken drivers over holiday

Law enforcement in Merced County will crack down on drunken driving this Fourth of July weekend and officials are encouraging motorists to “drive sober or get pulled over.”

The Sheriff’s Department said it will increase enforcement with zero tolerance for drunken drivers over the holiday weekend. DUI saturation patrols in Merced County began Thursday night and will continue until 5:59 a.m. Monday, officers said.

A DUI checkpoint also will operate in an undisclosed location. California Highway Patrol officers will increase enforcement with all available officers patrolling county roads and freeways, police said.

“If you’re caught driving drunk or impaired, you will be arrested,” the department said in a statement. “Aside from putting your life and the lives of others at risk, driving impaired can also lead to serious consequences.”

Officers warned that DUI arrests could lead to jail time, a suspended license, higher insurance rates and financial burdens of about $10,000 on average.

The Fourth of July holiday is one of the deadliest weekends of the year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. From 2009-13, nearly 40 percent of fatal car crashes during the Fourth of July throughout the nation involved alcohol. In 2013, 28 people in the state died July Fourth in DUI crashes, the administration reported.

In all 50 states, it’s illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher.

Authorities encourage drivers to have a safety plan ahead of the holiday weekend to avoid drinking and driving. If you have to confiscate a friend’s keys, do it, the sheriff’s office said. Police suggest designating a sober driver, or using the new California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP mobile app to order ride services such as Uber, Lyft or Curb. The department also encourages drivers to report drunk drivers.

Merced County’s crackdown, called “Avoid the 11,” is part of a grant-funded, statewide campaign.

This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Merced law enforcement targeting drunken drivers over holiday."