It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also one of the times when the most DUI arrests occur.
The California Highway Patrol reportedly made 138 DUI arrests in Los Angeles County during a 36-hour period from Friday to Christmas morning, according to CBS Los Angeles.
The number of Los Angeles DUI arrests this year represents an increase of 55 arrests from last year. Statewide, 710 people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, compared to 507 last year, according to the CHP.
The report only covers freeways and unincorporated areas covered by the CHP, however. Los Angeles police and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department have not yet released any DUI arrest figures, which means the total number of DUI arrests this Christmas weekend will likely rise.
The CHP's increased DUI enforcement ran in conjunction with L.A. County's "Avoid the 100" anti-DUI campaign, which runs until January 1. The campaign reportedly includes 32 DUI checkpoints and 202 DUI saturation patrols; Angelenos are strongly advised to find alternative means of transportation for their end-of-the-year festivities.
However, knowing the locations of New Years' Eve DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols will help you get to your festivities quicker. Luckily, authorities have provided lists of DUI checkpoint and saturation patrol locations for the upcoming week.
Even if you don't believe the New Year's Day superstition that what happens on January 1 influences the rest of the year, starting 2012 in a drunk tank is probably one of the worst ways to ring in the New Year.
Related Resources:
- Find a Los Angeles DUI attorney (FindLaw)
- 'Tis the Season for DUI: 138 Arrests on Christmas Day (laist.com)
- DUI Checkpoints (FindLaw)
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