Of course, drinking responsibly and not getting behind the wheel of a vehicle are common-sense words when sober. However, when impaired, the thought process can result in a DUI and, even worse, tragedy. NSC Injury Facts estimates that 469 people may lose their lives in motor vehicle incidents on Memorial Day Weekend 2023, a major contributing factor being alcohol consumption. NSC is the National Safety Council which analyzes public accidents and injuries and collects statistics focusing on holidays. One of their primary goals is to show unintentional injuries are preventable.
According to a Press Release by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Moreno Valley will hold a DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location over the weekend. The checkpoint will be held from 9:00 pm to 3:00 am to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road. Checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing previous incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and on the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Deputy Chris Loucks stated in the release, "Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk." "Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety."
Within the release, the Moreno Valley Sheriff's Station also reminds the public that impaired driving is not just alcohol. In addition, they mention prescription medications, over the counter drugs that may interfere with safe and alert driving.
While medicinal and recreational marijuana is legal, just as alcohol or medications that can impair driving, driving under the influence of marijuana is also illegal. All can result in a Driving Under the Influence charge, and all can cause tragic motor vehicle incidents resulting in significant bodily injury and fatalities.
Drivers charged with a first time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license, amongst other punishments required by law. These include classes that teach the charged driver the dangers and risks and, hopefully, change their minds before getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking.
This holiday is considered a 3.25-day weekend beginning at 6 pm Friday evening May 26th – 11:59 pm, Monday, May 29. Memorial Day Weekend is a time for celebration; however, as with other holidays, it is a time for travel. So, while you may not be impaired, keep alert for other vehicles driving erratically, and report the vehicle to law enforcement. By doing so, you may be saving lives, including the ones of impaired drivers.
Before you get behind the wheel, risking lives, including your own, also remember that undisclosed DUI checkpoints will be strategically placed in Moreno Valley. So have a great Memorial Day weekend by giving your keys to someone who isn't going to be under the influence, have someone call for a ride for you, and don't drive.
Please help keep our community safe Mo Val; it's not worth the risk to be that impaired driver who had a little too much celebration that changes your whole life and could impact the lives of others.
Have a happy Memorial Day Weekend and share this article to remind friends and family to keep their holiday happy and safe as well. Follow me on NewsBreak and find something positive daily in an ever-changing world. Let's support and encourage one another daily.
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