Crime & Safety
Law Enforcement Will Ring in New Year With Extra DUI Patrols
More than 350 arrests have already been made in Santa Clara County's Avoid the 13 campaign.
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 Tuesday evening, Dec. 31 as residents usher in the New Year.
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. More than 350 arrests have already been made in Santa Clara County's Avoid the 13 campaign.
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.
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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