DUI Enforcement Operations Planned for December 27

Drivers are reminded to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”

Officers from the Monterey Park Police Department’s DUI Enforcement Team deployed to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers in the department’s ongoing traffic safety campaign. DUI Saturation Patrols deployed on Friday, 
December 27, 2013 between the hours of 7 p.m. – 3 a.m. in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.

“We are working to make our community safe from impaired drivers,” said Monterey Park Police Chief Jim Smith. “This is a ‘Zero Tolerance’ crackdown so Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over!”

In California, this deadly crime led to 774 deaths in 2011 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. In Monterey Park over the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed one life and resulted in 33 injury crashes harming 44 of our friends and neighbors.

DUI can impact the economy in addition to the pain and suffering of those immediately affected. Conservatively, a fatality has a $1.4 million impact, an injury $70,000, and a crash that only damages property averages nearly $9,000.

“California’s roadways are very much safer today than they were just a few years ago,” said Chief Smith. “The Monterey Park Police Department will be keeping the pressure on through enforcement and public awareness so that we can continue saving lives and preventing injuries.”

Funding for this program is from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Report Drunk Drivers, Call 911!

Monterey Park Police Department Special Traffic Enforcement Campaign Targeted Traffic Safety

Police to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous, careless motorists and pedestrians impacting traffic

The Monterey Park Police Department conducted a special Traffic Safety Enforcement Operation on Thursday, December 19, 2013. Extra officers were on duty patrolling areas where officers have responded to frequent collisions cracking down on driving and pedestrian violations that cause collisions, injuries and fatalities.

Motorist failing to yield to pedestrians and those walking into traffic are a serious safety concerns that puts everyone on the road at risk. For the most recent release of data of 2010, 578 people have been killed and 11,429 seriously injured in California as a result of collisions that involved pedestrians. In Monterey Park, officers have investigated 44 pedestrian involved fatal or injury collisions.

Drivers & pedestrians who break the law and place themselves and others in danger will be cited. Officers focused efforts in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic especially at intersections, streets where speed related collision are high and they paid particular attention towards distracted driving – those using hand held cell phones or texting.

Officers remind motorist to slow down and obey posted speed limits, signs and signals; stay alert and always give pedestrians the right-of-way. Those on foot should always use crosswalks, use sidewalks, walk facing traffic where there are no sidewalks, and never walk into traffic. If you are walking in crosswalks, always watch for motorist who may not see you. In short, expect the unexpected while crossing the street.

To avoid a distracted driving ticket or crash, Monterey Park PD also offers drivers the following tips:

• Turn off your phone and/or put it out of reach while driving
• Include in your outgoing message that you can’t answer while you are driving
• Don’t call or text anyone at a time when you think they may be driving. 
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.