COUNTYWIDE : Anti-Drunk-Driving Observance Planned
In a symbolic observance to focus attention on the issue of drunk driving, the Sheriff’s Department will join the California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies statewide in keeping their vehicle headlights on throughout Dec. 8.
Dubbed “Lights On for Life,” the observance is in memory of those killed or injured in alcohol-related crashes and as a reminder of law enforcement’s watchful eye on drunk drivers.
“We are letting people know that drunk driving is not tolerable,” said David Saavedra, spokesman for the program.
This is the second year of the program, and more than 300 law enforcement agencies in the state are participating.
The observance coincides with the start of National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, which is December. Anti-drunk driving groups and law enforcement agencies will sponsor activities to discourage people from driving after drinking.
California’s war on drunk driving appears to be working, due in part to the state’s tough drunk-driving laws.
A lowered 0.08 limit on blood-alcohol content was enacted last January. And on-the-spot administrative license suspension--in which an officer confiscates a driver’s license if the driver has an illegal blood-alcohol content--took effect in July, 1990.
In 1991, according to CHP statistics, 2,048 people were killed in alcohol-related collisions, down 334 from the previous year.
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