Crime & Safety
Holiday Weekend DUI Crackdown Planned in Murrieta
More police officers than usual will be on the lookout for drivers under the influence of alcohol and other motoring scofflaws in Riverside County during the July 4 weekend.
The California Highway Patrol’s “Avoid the 30” campaign – named for the number of area police agencies involved – is planned from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Monday.
The effort will coincide with the CHP's Independence Day weekend "maximum enforcement'' period, during which 80 percent of the agency's officers are deployed to crack down on intoxicated motorists, speeders and other traffic violators.
“Celebrating our great country's birthday with friends and family is a holiday tradition for many people,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Many Californians will be taking to the roadway, and we encourage motorists to celebrate safely; designate a non-drinking driver, buckle up, minimize distractions and allow yourself plenty of time to get to your destination so that you don't feel the need for speed on the highway.''
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During last year's Fourth of July weekend Avoid campaign, 162 people were arrested on suspicion of drunken or drug-impaired driving in Riverside County, compared to 172 arrests the year before.
Sobriety checkpoints are scheduled Friday and Saturday in Riverside and Blythe.
Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
According to the Avoid website, saturation patrols are planned Saturday, Sunday and Monday in Canyon Lake, Coachella, Corona, Hemet, La Quinta, Menifee, Murrieta, Palm Desert, Riverside and San Jacinto.
Murrieta police Cpl. Jay Froboese said the department is planning extra patrols for Saturday evening between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m.
CNS contributed to this story.
