This holiday season, the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) wants to remind the public about the importance of being safe and sober when you are driving. CMPD will have additional officers on patrol throughout the City of Costa Mesa this holiday season specifically looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
CMPD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription or over-the-counter medications with an operating heavy machinery warning on the label can also impair. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your ability to drive, please take precautions to avoid a DUI. Please don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
CMPD is dedicated to keeping the public safe and urges people to use a designated sober driver if you plan to drink. A DUI charge is not cheap. Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license and possible jail time.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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