A spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff's Department has confirmed the OCSD will be cracking down on DUIs this upcoming holiday weekend.   Saturation patrols and DUI / driver's license checkpoints will take place throughout the county between Friday and Tuesday.  The purpose of these efforts is to arrest those who are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  These people not only endanger their own lives but the lives of everyone else on the road.   A secondary purpose of the crackdown is to educate sober drivers as to the dangers of impaired driving.

This time of year is filled with graduation parties and summer celebrations. The OCSD said most college students have started their summer breaks.  The nice weather combined with vacationers, summer breakers and those celebrating other activities can be a recipe for disaster on the roadways.  Many people celebrate with alcohol.  Although most drink responsibly there are still countless others that will get behind the wheel of a car after overindulging. This frequently causes a spike in reckless and impaired drivers.

Orange County Sheriff's Department Deputies will reportedly be conducting DUI and driver's license checkpoints in Rancho Santa Margarita, Buena Park, Cypress and Placenita.  Saturation patrols will be deployed in Brea, Placentia, Anaheim, Fullerton, La Palma, Irvine, Laguna Beach and in other cities that have contracted their police services to the OCSD.  In addition, the California Highway Patrol will also be out in full force.  All available officers will be deployed on county roads and freeways.   The CHP considers Memorial Day Weekend to be a maximum enforcement period.

If you know you will be drinking this weekend you are urged to consider the following.  Plan ahead and designate a sober driver.  Think about mapping out a public transportation route to and from your destination.  Make sure you have the phone number to one or more cab companies programmed into your phone.   If you are hosting a party please be mindful of how many drinks your guests are consuming.   Be sure to provide lots of food.

Anyone who thinks they see a drunk driver is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.   The OCSD said those who are arrested for a first-time DUI with no accidents or injuries will be released on their own recognizance.  The defendant will not need to hire a bondsman to be released from jail but their arrest will still cost them thousands of dollars in fines.  Persons who are arrested for a second DUI will have their bail set at $10,000.  Their cost to hire a bondsman will be 10%, or $1,000.  If the driver gets into an accident or injures one of their passengers, bail can be set upward of $250,000.  This offense is not only dangerous, it can be very expensive.

The funding for this weekend's operation has been provided by a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Drivers can expect to see similar efforts on the 4th of July and during Labor Day Weekend