In a report from the Temecula Patch, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) are currently attempting to crack-down on drunk driving by implementing a Statewide Impairment Reduction (SIR) campaign. The measure went into effect on October 1, 2017, and will remain in place until September 30, 2018. We’ll explore what this means for drivers in Temecula and the surrounding areas in this post.
What is the Statewide Impairment Reduction (SIR) Campaign?
The SIR campaign provides the CHP with funding to install DUI checkpoints and implement traffic safety education efforts. Law enforcement officials and safety experts hope these measures will discourage people from driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and educate drivers on finding alternatives to impaired driving.
Addressing a Community Safety Need
Planning for the initiative began after data from 2015 was released. During that year alone, California saw 663 deaths and 11,061 injuries attributed to impaired driving incidents. These are all considered preventable injuries and fatalities. CHP Acting Commissioner Warren Stanley stated that “With this grant funding we can continue an aggressive education and enforcement campaign to deter drivers from making the poor decision to drive impaired.”
Practicing Safe Driving
To prevent personal injury and criminal arrest, always plan ahead if you know you’re going to be drinking. Appointing a designated driver, utilizing a rideshare service like Uber and Lyft, or securing a safe place to stay while you sleep it off or sober up are all excellent ways to keep everyone safe and prevent impaired driving incidents.
Competent Legal Counsel for Personal Injury Victims & DUI Clients
Whether you’re attempting to collect compensation following a DUI-related auto accident or are accused of driving under the influence, Hales & Associates offers you sound legal representation. Contact our Temecula office today at (951) 489-3320 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced and capable attorney.