Extra DUI Patrols and Checkpoint in Santee Friday and Sunday

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Police officers and sheriff's deputies throughout San Diego County will be out in force to catch drunken drivers Labor Day weekend, especially in Santee on Friday and Sunday.

The operations are part of the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign that began last month and is set to wrap up Monday.

According to the Sheriff's Department, Santee should expect extra patrols and a checkpoint on Friday and Sunday. The checkpoints are usually set up on Mission Gorge Road, Mast Boulevard or Carlton Oaks Boulevard at night.

"Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement, like the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign, reduces alcohol-impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent," San Diego police Officer Mark McCullough said.

Between the campaign's start Aug. 17 and Sunday, were arrested in San Diego County, according to the sheriff's department.

"By joining this nationwide effort, we will make the county's roadways safer for everyone throughout the Labor Day period," Sheriff Bill Gore said. "If you've had too much to drink, don't even think about getting behind the wheel. Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so drive Sober or Get Pulled Over."

Sheriff's deputies, California Highway Patrol officers and other law enforcement agencies will conduct extra patrols and checkpoints in Encinitas, Santee and Poway Friday night, in Imperial Beach Saturday and in Santee Sunday, according to sheriff's Lt. David Gilmore.

San Diego police set checkpoints for 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and another to begin at 4 p.m. Monday, McCullough said. The locations were not disclosed.

Sheriff's deputies in Imperial Beach have scheduled a checkpoint from 8 p.m. Saturday to 2:30 a.m. Sunday along with saturation patrols.

San Diego County's "Avoid the 14" task force, named for the number of area law enforcement agencies involved, will also conduct checkpoints and roving patrols through Monday, McCullough said.

Oceanside police will conduct a DUI checkpoint between 8 p.m. Friday and 3 a.m. Saturday as part of its DUI Enforcement and Awareness Program.

-City News Service