Police Will Be Out in Force Looking for Drunk Drivers

The twisted, mangled cars in front of Estancia High School and on Newport Boulevard at 17th Street are the Costa Mesa Police Department’s way of providing vivid reminders of where drunk driving can lead.

But should the sight of a demolished car, or numerous billboard and public-service announcements, fail to deter, Costa Mesa police and other local law enforcement agencies warn, there will be a price to pay. They say officers are out in full force this holiday season looking specifically for drunk drivers.

“Most cities are being tigers about this, because drunk drivers have killed too many people,” said Placentia Police Lt. Robert Jones. “We are on the lookout for people who make unsafe lane changes, change speeds, make wide turns, weave and do other things drunk drivers do.”

Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Tom Winter said: “We have zero tolerance for drunk drivers. If you drink and drive in our city, you will go to jail. It is not acceptable.”

The California Highway Patrol says it has every available officer on the road during what it calls a “maximum enforcement period.”

“We are trying to stop the driver who is under the influence before he or she can cause a major incident and someone gets hurt,” said CHP officer Anthony Gubler.

In 1992, 72 people were killed by drunk driving-related accidents in Orange County, and 3,558 more were injured, according to statistics provided by the Orange County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

“We are always very concerned during the holiday season,” said John Rushton, executive director of the local MADD chapter. “Although a lot of people are being more responsible, this is a time when a major portion of society is out being festive, celebrating and attending parties.”

Rushton pointed out that in addition, a drunk-driving conviction can be expensive. A first-time conviction, for instance, according to the CHP, can cost up to $4,000 in lost work time, legal fees, fines and higher insurance costs.

“If you are drinking and driving, it can cost you a ton of money,” Rushton said. “Judges are being much tougher on drunk drivers than they’ve ever been. If nothing else, the financial impact should be something that is on everyone’s mind.”

Cities throughout the county have been conducting sobriety checkpoints in recent weeks to find drunk drivers.

On Thursday, the state Supreme Court ruled that police do not need to publicize the roadblocks in advance.

Rushton has this advice for those planning to drink at holiday gatherings: “Have a designated driver. It’s the easiest and most economical solution.

“This is something everybody can afford to do,” he said, “and actually, you can’t afford not to.”