LAPD Conducting DUI Checkpoints In Hollywood, Cahuenga Pass

This story was written by City News Service

Law enforcement officers will be out in force Friday and throughout the remainder of the Fourth of July weekend looking for drivers who may be under the influence or violating other traffic laws.

Beginning at 4 p.m. and running through midnight, the Los Angeles Police Department will be conducting saturation patrols in the Newton area and from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday in the Southeast area of South Los Angeles, according to the department.

The LAPD will also be operating two sobriety and license checkpoints, one in the the Hollywood area and the other in the Cahuenga Pass.

Both checkpoints will be operated from 8 p.m. today to 2 a.m. Saturday. The Hollywood DUI stop will be set up at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Bronson Avenue. In Cahuenga Pass, which is under the North Hollywood Division's jurisdiction, the sobriety checkpoint will be placed at the intersection of Cahuenga Boulevard and Oakshire Drive, according to the department.

The California Highway Patrol's "maximum enforcement period" began at 6 p.m. Wednesday and will continue through 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

"All available officers will be out on the roadways for enhanced enforcement efforts, and (will) be available to assist motorists in need," said CHP Southern Division Chief Dan Bower.

Officers will look for motorists who are driving drunk, but will also focus on reducing problems caused by aggressive driving, Bower said.

"Aggressive drivers often commit multiple moving violations, in addition to speeding," he said. "This combination often results in needless traffic collisions, with serious injuries. CHP's goal is to eliminate this behavior through education and enforcement, ultimately saving lives."

Also helping to patrol for drunken drivers throughout Los Angeles County is the "Avoid the 100 DUI Task Force," which is made up of representatives from several local police departments.

Funding for the increased enforcement program was provided by a grant from the state Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"The Fourth of July weekend ... means trips to the beach, pool parties, and barbecues. Unfortunately, it could also mean drunk driving, traffic collisions, injuries and deaths," according to a LAPD statement.

Authorities urged motorists to follow common-sense guidelines:

-- designate a sober driver before leaving home, and give that person your keys;

-- wear your seatbelt; it's your best protection against an impaired or aggressive driver;

-- use public transportation, if possible; and

-- if you become impaired, don't get behind the wheel.

"Impaired drivers place other drivers -- and pedestrians -- at risk of being involved in a traffic collision," the LAPD said. "Driving with a blood- alcohol level of .08 percent or higher is illegal in every state. Call 911 if you see a possible drunk driver on the road."