In the days leading up to the Super Bowl, officers from the Redondo Beach Police Department will be on the lookout to stop and arrest alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers in areas of Redondo Beach with high frequencies of collisions and/or arrests related to driving under the influence.
“Super Bowl fans are looking forward to a high scoring competitive game. The Redondo Beach Police Department would like to see zero collisions and zero DUI arrests. This will not happen unless people drink responsibly and choose not to drive when they drink. This is a zero tolerance enforcement weekend. Drive sober or get pulled over,” said Redondo Beach Police Department Chief Joe Leonardi.
Driving under the influence (DUI) resulted in 774 deaths in California in 2010. After falling dramatically for five straight years, figures for 2011 indicate that DUI deaths remained the same as 2010.
Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 1 life and resulted in 84 injury crashes harming 106 people in Redondo Beach.
The economic impact of a fatality is estimated to be $1.4 million, an injury $70,000, and a crash that damages only property nearly $9000.
“California’s roadways are very much safer than they were before 2006,” said Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher J. Murphy. “The Redondo Beach Police Department will be keeping the pressure on through enforcement and public awareness so that we can continue saving lives and reach the vision we all share – toward zero deaths, every one counts.”
Funding for this program comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
To report a drunk driver, call 911.
