Left Column bottom

Right Column

Press Release

California Law Enforcement Announces "Last Call" for Drunk Drivers
Designated Driver or Patrol Car? Pick Your Ride.

 

SACRAMENTO – Have you ever had a COPtail? State officials from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) are hoping you will make these beverages part of your holiday celebrations in coming weeks, particularly if you're the designated driver. And they're getting some help from the California Restaurant Association (CRA) and Lina Fat.

Law enforcement from throughout northern California served the non-alcoholic drinks or, COPtails, to lunch patrons at Fat City Bar & Café in Old Sacramento today as part of California's Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month.

"We want everyone to enjoy themselves this time of year," said CHP Commissioner D.O. "Spike" Helmick. "But if you are a person who rolls the dice and drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol, consider this your warning and last call. It's your choice. Designated driver or patrol car? Pick your ride."

Alcohol-related fatalities are back on the rise in California for the third consecutive year after more than a decade of decline. In 2001, 1,308 people were killed and more than 31,800 were injured in alcohol-related crashes - up from 1,233 deaths and 30,971 injuries in 2000.

"California has always been committed to taking impaired drivers off the roads, particularly during the holidays," said OTS Interim Director, Teresa Becher. "This year we've dedicated even more time, energy and resources to help prevent impaired driving because we know that more and more people are being killed and injured. The holidays are a time for celebrations, not tragedies."

The complimentary COPtails were provided courtesy of Fat City Bar & Café, Markstein Beverage and the California Automobile Association's Cheers! program.

 

 

###