Law enforcement officers around San Diego County will be on the hunt for drunken drivers and other scofflaws this New Year's Eve and into the weekend.
Sheriff's deputies plan to conduct extra patrols within their jurisdictions Thursday night and Friday morning, according to the county.
Chula Vista police plan to operate a checkpoint somewhere within the city from 6 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday. The exact location was not disclosed, but authorities said checkpoint areas are typically based on collision statistics and the frequency of DUI arrests.
La Mesa police officers will staff a checkpoint at an undisclosed location from 7 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday, according to police.
As of Wednesday, sheriff's deputies logged more than 1,400 DUI arrests in San Diego County for the year. That compares with 1,610 DUI arrests made in 2014, according to county officials.
Chula Vista police officers investigated 454 alcohol-related crashes over the past three years. The crashes in the South Bay city left nine people dead and injured 213, according to police. La Mesa police reported 136 DUI crashes that injured 52 people in the past three years.
Officials with the three law enforcement agencies urged holiday revelers to plan ahead and designate a sober driver, use a taxi, ride-sharing service or public transportation and to report suspected drunken drivers by calling 911.
