Law enforcement asks public to report drunk drivers
As the holidays continue, law enforcement officials are urging
party-goers to refrain from drinking alcohol and driving. This
year’s initiative includes a plea to the public to report drunk
drivers. A new sign posted along Hwy. 25 for drivers heading west
advises people to
”
Report Drunk Drivers Call 911.
”
Law enforcement asks public to report drunk drivers
As the holidays continue, law enforcement officials are urging party-goers to refrain from drinking alcohol and driving. This year’s initiative includes a plea to the public to report drunk drivers. A new sign posted along Hwy. 25 for drivers heading west advises people to “Report Drunk Drivers Call 911.”
“Drunk driving is the top priority for the California Highway Patrol and other motorists on the roads are one of the best weapons we have against drunk drivers,” said Mike Brown, a CHP commissioner. “We’re asking the public to report drunk drivers by calling 911 and providing the location and a complete description of the vehicle. This will help us know who we’re looking for and where to look.”
In addition, local agencies will be conducting sobriety checkpoints throughout the area during the holidays.
In 2006 there was one fatality caused by drunk driving and 50 non-fatal injuries, according to California Highway Patrol statistics.
“Deaths and injuries due to drunk drivers are a serious concern for every, said Christopher Murphy, the director of the Office of Traffic Safety. “These avoidable tragedies bring the issue to the forefront of traffic safety priorities for California.”
While sobriety checkpoints serve as a deterrent from driving drunk, Murphy said, the public could help even more.
“To make an even greater impact, we’re asking for the public throughout the state to serve as an extra set of eyes for law enforcement by calling 911 to report drunk drivers. Knowing that the public is also on the lookout for drunk drivers is a powerful deterrent.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration staff offer tips on how to report a drunk driver and how to spot a drunk driver.
People can report other drivers anonymously, but should be able to give the exact location of the vehicle, including the name of the road and cross streets. A description of the car make and model, color and license plate is also helpful, as well as an explanation of how the driver is driving. The administration staff warn against trying to stop a driver.
Some signs that a driver might be intoxicated include:
– Weaving or zigzagging across the road
– Driving on surfaces oth er than a designated roadway
– Swerving or
abruptly turning away from a generally straight course
– Turning abruptly or
illegally
– Driving slower than 10 mph below the speed limit
– Stopping without cause in a traffic lane
– Stopping
inappropriately
– Almost striking an
object or another
vehicle
– Following others too closely
– Drifting or moving in a straight line
– Erratic braking
– Driving into opposing or crossing traffic
– Signaling that is
inconsistent with
driving actions
– Slow response to
traffic signals,
including sudden
stops and delayed starts
– Turning with a wide
radius
– Straddling the center of the road or lane marker
– Appearing to be drunk (eye fixation, face close to windshield,
drinking in the vehicle)
– Driving with headlights off
In addition, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers have compiled some non-alcoholic recipes for the holidays. Here are just a few to choose from for the designated driver in the bunch.
Fuzzy Noel
¾ c. peach sorbet
1 c. sparkling water
1/3 c. orange juice
3/8 tsp. almond extract
crushed ice
Blend sorbet, juice and extract until smooth. Stir in water, pour over crushed ice.
Virgin Bloody Mary
Courtesy of Piatti’s in Sacramento
1 can tomato juice
3 oz. club soda
2 pinches cumin powder
1 tsp. horseradish
1 oz. lime juice
3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 shake celery salt
Mix all ingredients except club soda in a pitcher. Salt the rim of highball glasses. Add club soda to the glass, then bloody Mary mix. Garnish with celery salt and lemon pepper.
Tommy O’Collins
½ c. club soda
1 tsp. rum extract
1-2 ice cubes
1 ½ tsp. lime juice
1 to 2 packets sweetener
Combine all ingredients except ice in a blender until light and frothy, 10 sec. Pour over ice.
Sparkling Julep
Non-alcoholic sparkling wine or white grape juice.
Mint flavored sparkling water
Sprig of mint
Combine wine or juice and sparkling water in equal portions. Garnish with mint sprig.
