RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTSheriff Chad Bianco |
| Press Release: | St. Patrick’s Day Driving Under the Influence Saturation Patrol
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| Station Area: | Coachella |
| Written Date: | March 15, 2021 | Time: | 10:00 AM |
| Incident Date: | March 17, 2021 | Time: | N/A |
| Incident Location: | The City of Coachella |
| Reporting Officer: | Sergeant Mariano Matos III
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| File Number(s): | N/A |
Details:
Coachella, Calif. – If you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, remember to do so responsibly by having a plan to get home safely.
This St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will have officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
“If drinking is part of your plans, plan on designating a sober driver and find a safe way home,” Sergeant Matos said. “Don’t make poor choices and allow yourself to mix alcohol or drugs with driving.”
On St. Patrick’s Day 2019 in California, seven people were killed, and 116 others were injured in crashes caused by driving under the influence.
Not only does driving under the influence put yourself and others on the road at risk, but it also hurts financially; attorneys’ fees, fines, court costs, insurance rate hikes and car repairs can reach $15,000 or more in California.
“It’s simple: don’t drink and drive,” Sergeant Matos said. “Stay at home or find a sober driver to take you home.”
If you ever see a suspected drunk driver on the road, call 911.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
