Santa Barbara police netted two arrests for DUI and booked 13 others for driving without a valid license following several sobriety checkpoints during the weekend, and authorities are planning another crackdown during Super Bowl Sunday.
Officers staged DUI roadblocks along Coast Village Road, San Andres Street, Haley Street and Shoreline Drive on Friday and Sunday, screening a total of 514 drivers for signs of intoxication in addition to checking licenses.
Avoid the 12, the countywide crackdown on intoxicated driving, is planning 13 individual DUI patrols throughout Santa Barbara County this Sunday in an attempt to keep Super Bowl revelers from drinking and driving.
"It's a no-brainer to designate a completely sober person to drive everyone else home safely from the event," Deputy Win Smith, campaign coordinator, said in a news release. "It costs nothing and saves lives routinely. Just do it before you leave for the party, because alcohol tackles everyone's good judgment."
He also urged local residents to remain alert when driving and call authorities on a cell phone if they spot a possible intoxicated driver.
"The dispatcher will want to know where you are, which way you're traveling and the description of the car," Smith said in the news release. "You won't get into trouble for using your cell phone while driving; this is an exception to the rule."
The recent and upcoming sobriety checkpoints and DUI patrols are funded by a federal grant via the California Office of Traffic Safety.
