LAPD Safety Campaign to Continue Through Labor Day

Los Angeles police are gearing up for this weekend along with their counterparts around the state and country in an ongoing national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" safety campaign that will continue through  Labor Day.

"As people get together to celebrate the holiday period, it is important that they remain responsible behind the wheel," said Christopher J. Murphy, director of the California Office of Traffic Safety.

"Driving under the influence is extremely dangerous," Murphy said. "California is increasing enforcement during the holiday to ensure that those who choose to drive while impaired will be caught and arrested."

During the campaign, the LAPD, California Highway Patrol, various "Avoid DUI" task forces, and more than 115 local police departments across the state will set up DUI/driver's license checkpoints and will conduct "saturation patrols" in various locations, Murphy said.

The LAPD will conduct checkpoints over the remainder of this week as follows:

-- at 8 p.m., tonight, a six-hour checkpoint will begin in Hollywood at Sunset Boulevard and Bronson Avenue;

-- at 8 p.m., Friday, a six-hour checkpoint will begin in Hollywood at Highland and De Longpre avenues;

-- at 8 p.m., Friday, a six-hour checkpoint will begin in the southwest area at La Brea Avenue and Rodeo Road;

-- at 6 p.m. Saturday, a six-hour checkpoint will begin in the southwest area at Western Avenue and 39th Street and

-- at 8 p.m. Saturday, a six-hour checkpoint will begin in the Topanga area at Sherman Way and Variel Avenue.

The checkpoints are subject to change.

More information on all OTS efforts and the "Avoid" campaign is available at the website www.ots.ca.gov .

-City News Service