CHP to crack down on 4th of July drivers who drink

The California Highway Patrol will increase patrols in the Coachella Valley beginning tomorrow night for the Fourth of July holiday.

The CHP is “almost doubling” the number of officers on patrol during the Fourth of July Maximum Enforcement Period, which starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday and ends at midnight Wednesday night, Officer Joe Zagorski said. Officers will be on the lookout for people driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, he added.

During last year’s July Fourth enforcement period, four drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Officers investigated three crashes, one of which involved injuries, Zagorski said.

He said everyone should plan to have a designated sober driver “to get everyone home safely after the celebration concludes.”