Bay Area Law Enforcement Stepping Up New Year's Patrols For Drunk Drivers
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- New Year's celebrations will be in full force along with law enforcement patrols monitoring Bay Area roads for drunken drivers.
In many counties, holiday DUI enforcement campaigns will be ramped up tonight as residents usher in the New Year.
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In San Mateo County, last year saw 17 DUI arrests on New Year's Eve, according to Avoid the 23 campaign spokeswoman Diane McCarthy.
"People are more in the party mode at New Year's Eve," she said.
Thus far, county law enforcement agencies have arrested 148 drivers for DUI since Dec. 13.
The campaign will continue until the end of Wednesday, and there will be extra patrols throughout the county, McCarthy said.
A DUI checkpoint will be held in San Jose as part of the end of the Santa Clara County anti-DUI campaign.
Extra patrols will be out in Morgan Hill and Santa Clara, as part of a maximum enforcement effort.
A DUI crackdown will also be held throughout Solano County, with patrols saturating the area on New Year's Eve starting at 6 p.m.
San Francisco police are stressing a "zero tolerance" policy for public drinking.
Police are reminding revelers to stay safe and sober, and put away any open containers of alcohol when lining up near the Embarcadero to watch the fireworks or other celebratory spots throughout the city.
McCarthy reminded those celebrating the New Year to designate a driver and never drink and drive.
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