Sentinel staff report–
Citrus Heights police on Thursday said they will deploy extra teams of officers on the streets on Super Bowl Sunday in an effort to seek, stop, and arrest intoxicated drivers — including those under the influence of drugs.
Called DUI “saturation patrols,” police said the additional enforcement officers will be deployed on Feb. 3, searching for drivers showing signs of alcohol or drug impairment. The department also encourages football fans to not let others get behind the wheel while intoxicated and to plan ahead for utilizing a designated driver or ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft.
“Have a game plan for the big game by making sure you have a safe way to get home, ” Sgt. Shaun Gualco said in Thursday’s news release.
Q&A: Why do police announce DUI checkpoints in advance?
The department also advised drivers that prescription drugs with warning labels about driving or operating machinery can cause enough impairment to result in a DUI. Marijuana, especially when used in combination with alcohol or other drugs, can also result in a DUI.
According to police statistics, there were more than 200 DUI arrests in Citrus Heights in 2017 and over 50 DUI-related collisions. Statewide, there are often more than 1,000 DUI-related deaths each year.
Police said funding for the Super Bowl DUI crackdown operation comes from a California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. CHPD announced last October it had received a $164,000 OTS grant to help fund a year-long program of safety-related efforts, including DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols.
