San Diego County law enforcement officials say July 4th is the most dangerous holiday when it comes to alcohol-related deaths, injuries and crimes. That's why police and public safety agencies launched Operation Safeguard Friday. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Fourteen law enfrocemetn and public safety agencies form Operation Safeguard. Officials want to warn adults and young people that police will be cracking down on drunk drivers and underage drinkers countywide on Indenpence Day. They say sobriety checkpoints will be setup, highway patrol officers will be making roving DUI patrols, and police will be using decoys to catch young people drinking illegally. Public health and safety advocate Patty Drieslein says July 4th is a dangerous time of the year.
Drieslein: "Even more dangerous than New Year's Eve, when you would think there would be a lot of drunk drivers out there on the road. July 4 has actually become the No. 1 holiday of the year where more deaths and injuries occur."
Dreislein says the holiday is especially dangerous for young people. County residents between the ages of 18 and 25 make up 44 percent of the vicitms of alcohol related collision. Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
