Millions of people will be hitting the road over the Thanksgiving holiday to spend time with their loved ones. To ensure everyone is safe on our roads, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department wants to remind the public not to drive impaired.
From Wednesday, November 24 through Sunday, November 28, Sheriff’s Deputies will be on the lookout for impaired drivers across the county. The goal is simple: to get people driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs off our roadways.
“Please celebrate responsibly this Thanksgiving by not drinking and driving,” said Sheriff Bill Gore. “If you do drink, have a designated driver ready or use public transportation or a ride service.”
So far in 2021, 5,940 people have been booked into jail for impaired driving in San Diego County. The Sheriff’s Department made 773 of those arrests. During the 2020 Thanksgiving holiday period, 75 drivers were booked into jail for driving under the influence. Sheriff’s Deputies made nine of those arrests.
A reminder: DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs.
If you see an impaired driver on the road, call the Sheriff’s Department at (858) 565-5200. Remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
Watch our video on the high price of impaired driving by clicking on the above photo or this link. An impaired driving arrest and conviction can cost more than $15,000 in legal and court fees.
Funding for the Thanksgiving impaired driving enforcement program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
