“Our goal is to save lives by ensuring California’s roadways are safe for all motorists,” said Captain Jeff Sgobba, commander of CHP’s Santa Barbara Area. “Removing impaired drivers from the road is the ultimate goal of this project.”
CHP officers from Santa Barbara Area and Buellton Area are implementing a DUI task force and collaborating with regional law enforcement agencies to provide enhanced anti-DUI enforcement roving patrols within their jurisdictions on SR-154 and the US-101 in Santa Barbara County.
“Hopefully with this anti-DUI campaign, we can raise awareness and prevent collisions or additional injuries and loss of life resulting from impaired driving,” added Captain Sgobba.
During a three-year period (2007-2009), there were 12 people killed and 84 victims seriously injured as a result of alcohol-involved collisions on the combined segments of SR-154 and the US-101 in Santa Barbara County. During a 10-month comparison period (December 1, 2006, through September 30, 2009), there were 10 people killed and 68 victims seriously injured in alcohol-involved collisions on the combined segments of SR-154 and the US-101 in Santa Barbara County.
The CHP will conduct a 10-month enhanced enforcement campaign starting on December 1, 2011, and continuing through September 30, 2012. During that time, CHP officers will enforce all traffic laws with a special emphasis on the apprehension of drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs; including drivers speeding, making unsafe passes, or improper turns. Officers will also strictly enforce the use of seat belts, child safety seats, and drivers caught texting while driving.