Just because the Fourth of July is taking place mid-week this year does not mean that celebrations are going to be lacking. Many people are taking off from work beginning on Tuesday evening and will be off until Monday. The Fourth is a celebration that often includes indulging in alcohol and in some cases, now legalized marijuana. Law enforcement agencies across the state are already ramping up DUI saturation patrols as well as checkpoints. They would like to remind the public to make arrangements for transportation should they end up drinking too much and that DUIs do not just mean alcohol consumption.
Petaluma 360 reports on Santa Rosa and Sonoma County Law Enforcement efforts.
Statewide law enforcement statistics reveal that in 2017, there were 17 people killed and another 430 people injured in DUI-related crashes over the 4th of July weekend.
The California Highway Patrol says that the holiday is one of their busiest times of year for the agency.
CHP will have additional patrols statewide beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday through midnight on the 5th.
Santa Rosa police won’t have a DUI checkpoint, but it will have additional officers conducting saturation patrols over the holiday. They will be especially on the lookout for DUI drivers.
Healdsburg, Windsor, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Petaluma all have firework displays planned. Police agencies in those areas will also have additional officers working to deal with the crowds.
They are expecting both increased traffic and that means the potential for intoxicated drivers.