DUI Checkpoints Held Across Desert

Traveling for the holidays can be deadly on the roads.

Holiday parties on Friday were held across the desert, and authorities said that means a possible increase in people driving drunk.

The Coachella Police held a DUI checkpoint that started at 7 p.m. on Friday.

“Should you go to parties, kick back and don’t drink,” said Carlos Moreno, a resident of Coachella.

Nearly a quarter of young men have admitted to riding with someone who should not have been behind the wheel in the past year, according to the Banning Police Department.

“We understand that it’s a festive time of year and that the people are going to be out and about,” said Lt. Frank Tayler, with the Coachella Police Department.

He said it’s okay to spend the night out with friends and family, as long as drivers don’t ride impaired.

“It’s too dangerous you know,” said Francisco Moreno, a resident of Coachella. “(They present dangers) to families; everybody.”

Friday night’s checkpoint was Coachella’s first of the year.

It was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

“Throughout 2010, we were able to reduce traffic accidents that were alcohol related by almost 70 percent in the City of Coachella.”

Thirty police departments started increasing patrols on Friday to crackdown on impaired drivers in what authorities call the “Avoid the 30” campaign.

The period of maximum enforcement will last through New Years Day.

“I think that’s good for everybody,” said Francisco Moreno. “This is safe for everybody. They take care of the people.”

“Then while we’re there talking to people and greeting them, wishing them a happy holidays, we’re also checking to see if they’re in their seat belts, or if their kids are in their child protective seats,” said Taylor.

During last year’s two and a half week winter holiday campaign, 36 Californians statewide with illegal blood alcohol levels were killed, and 1,168 people were injured in alcohol related wrecks, according to the Banning Police Department.