DATE: March 12, 2024
SUBJECT: St. Patrick's Day Weekend DUI Enforcement Operations
CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant
(805) 385-7847 | michael.gens@oxnardpd.org
The Oxnard Police Department is working to keep roadways safe this St. Patrick’s Day.
Please Celebrate Responsibly: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by millions across the country, often culminating in parties where drinking is involved. Sadly, this leads to tragedies on our roadways when drivers choose to leave parties impaired.
This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, the Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol ready to stop and arrest drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Additional officers will be on patrol Friday, March 15, 2024 from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and again on Sunday, March 17, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. In addition to the patrols on Sunday, the Oxnard Police Department will hold a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city.
DUI checkpoints and patrols are done in locations with a history of DUI-related collisions and arrests. During the checkpoint, officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.
In 2021, 1,370 people were killed on California roads in crashes involving drivers who had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit (.08 or above). The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription or over-the-counter medications with an operating heavy machinery warning on the label can also impair. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.
If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your ability to drive, please take these precautions to avoid a DUI:
● Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab, or public transportation – to get home.
● Walking while impaired is also dangerous. Have someone sober walk you home or stay with you until a sober driver is available to pick you up.
● Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
● Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.
A DUI arrest is not cheap. Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license and possible jail time.