SFPD to Conduct DUI Saturation December 28th, 2024 24-161

A part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's “Drive sober or get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign

The San Francisco Police Department’s Traffic Unit will be conducting DUI saturation patrol this Saturday, December 28th, 2024, between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M. This saturation is a part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) National Winter campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”. The holiday season can be dangerous for people on the road, the goal of the campaign is to stop suspected impaired drivers who put others at risk. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.  Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.  A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, and other expenses that can exceed $10,000, not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

SFPD encourages everyone to celebrate the holiday season responsibly and make this a safe holiday season for everyone on the road. Funding for this saturation is provided to the San Francisco Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1.