BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the Bakersfield Police Department and its partners in the Kern Avoid DUI Task Force are urging motorists to plan a safe ride home and never get behind the wheel drunk or drugged. 

During this holiday police, Sheriff, and CHP throughout Kern County will be on high alert, cracking down on drunk drivers as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over public safety campaign.

“Drunk driving is deadly and it will not be tolerated in our communities this St. Patrick’s Day. Today we are giving fair warning to everyone traveling in Kern County that our law enforcement officers will be out on patrol and if you are caught driving impaired, you will be arrested” said Bakersfield Police Sgt. Argast.

The Kern Avoid DUI Task Force will be deploying special roving DUI patrols this St. Patrick’s Day weekend in several communities throughout the area, looking to stop and arrest drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs. 

These DUI patrols, in addition to regularly scheduled patrol officers, will be looking for the tell-tale signs of an impaired driver behind the wheel. The Kern Avoid task force will also be conducting a DUI / Driver License checkpoint over the holiday weekend.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that over 700 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving drunk drivers during St. Patrick’s Day holidays from 2006 to 2010.  On average, every 51 minutes a person is killed in a drunk-driving crash in the United States and the majority of these crashes involve drivers who have a .15% BAC or higher, almost twice legal limit of .08%. 

Whether you are gathering with friends at the local pub, attending a party or other special event,  if alcohol is part of the festivities, make sure you designate a sober driver to get you home safely, or contact your local sober ride program  for a ride home.

The Kern Avoid Task Force recommends the following easy steps to have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely.
• Use your community’s sober ride program.
• Report Drunk Drivers - Call 911.
• And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive a car or ride a motorcycle while impaired, take the keys and help that person make other arrangements to get to where he or she is going safely.

The Task Force is funded through a grant by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Media Notes: To schedule an interview regarding Anti Drunk-Driving efforts please contact Sgt. Graydon Argast at the Bakersfield Police Department  (661) 326-3598 or  gargast@bakersfielpd.us