The California Highway Patrol will be cracking down this Super
Bowl Sunday after drunk driving claimed 12 lives during last year’s
festivities, three times the daily average in California.
The California Highway Patrol will be cracking down this Super Bowl Sunday after drunk driving claimed 12 lives during last year’s festivities, three times the daily average in California.
“We’re not discouraging the celebration,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “We’re asking fans to make the right call, so they won’t find themselves benched in a jail cell.”
Last year, 167 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes throughout the state and CHP officers arrested 403 motorists for driving under the influence, according to the CHP.
This year, CHP, sheriff’s departments and local police departments will be deploying special DUI patrols as part of the Avoid Campaign across the state to lower alcohol-involved deaths and injuries.
“A DUI is no 5-yard penalty,” Commissioner Farrow warned. “It’s something that will follow you around for years to come.”
Law enforcement invites the public to help by calling 911 to report a suspected drunk driver. Callers should be prepared to provide dispatchers with a description of the vehicle, its location and direction of travel. In addition to designating a driver, the CHP encourages motorists to wear a seat belt and comply with the speed limit.
