Santa Barbara County - July 2nd, 2008

A sobriety checkpoint in Santa Maria on Saturday night, July 5, and DUI saturation patrols all weekend in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Guadalupe and on the University of California, Santa Barbara campus are set for the long Independence Day weekend by Avoid the 12, the county's cooperative crackdown on drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Those jurisdictions along with the Santa Maria Police Dept., Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Dept. and the Allan Hancock Police Dept. will help staff the checkpoint.

Avoid the 12 starts its four-day campaign on Friday, July 4, and ends it on Monday, July 7, said Sheriff’s Deputy Win Smith, campaign coordinator.

“Designated drivers are the key to having an enjoyable long weekend,” he said. “Just pick one of your party to stay stone-cold sober and drive everyone else home safely. Treat this person like royalty. You could gas up their car, buy them dinner or just thank them for potentially saving your life,” Smith advised.

Smith points out that it’s easy to lose track of how much alcohol you’ve had to drink when you’re at a picnic or outdoor party. “You’re not in a bar, where the focus is on drinking, you’re with your friends and family, focusing on socializing and activities. One beer can turn into three or four without you noticing if you’re distracted.”

Avoid the 12 is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.