Halloween is among the most popular holidays for parties each year. While many fill their bags with candy, others fill themselves with alcoholic spirits. The mix of adult partygoers and pedestrian trick or treaters makes for an often dangerous dynamic on the roads. For that reason, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is ramping up enforcement efforts against drunk and impaired drivers this Halloween weekend.
The LAPD confirmed locations for two major DUI search zones, as well as what they call a "DUI saturation patrol". On Friday night, the check point will be held at Ventura Boulevard and Columbus Avenue in Sherman Oaks from 8:00 pm to 2:00 am. On Saturday during the same time, drivers will be checked at Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street in Hollywood. And on Sunday (October 30), police will perform a saturated patrol of the Harbor Area, including Wilmington and San Pedro, from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
The LAPD also offered the following advice to partygoers for Halloween:
- Use a designated driver. Arrange a safe ride home before you go out.
- If your designated driver becomes inebriated, call a sober friend or family member for a lift, take a taxi, or hop on public transportation.
- Don't allow friends to drive drunk. Confiscate anyone's car key who shows signs of intoxication.
Remember: there are likely to be more check points than these and police are not obligated to disclose all their locations beforehand. If you're facing DUI charges in the Los Angeles area, contact an experienced Los Angeles DUI defense attorney at the Law Office of Daniel Kann for experienced and aggressive representation. Call (310) 593-2435 for a free case review.
Source: http://laist.com/2010/10/29/lapd_to_hold_dui_checkpoints_this_h.php; http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_19196458
