On May 1, 2019, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control ("ABC") has announced its Agents will be working with local law enforcement, licensed establishments, and community stakeholders this Cinco de Mayo. ABC Agents will visit both ABC licensed businesses and large venues to help prevent disorderly activity and try to reduce alcohol service to obviously intoxicated patrons and persons under 21 years-old.
“Before leaving for a party designate a driver, consider public transportation or an alternative method of arriving home safely. Developing a good transportation plan prior to celebrations can reduce tragic incidents,” said ABC Director Jacob Appelsmith. “ ABC encourages everyone to discuss how to make the holiday season as safe as possible.
“Too many alcohol-related tragedies occur during the holiday season when people should be experiencing the joy that families, friends and loved ones bring this time of year,” said ABC Director Jacob Appelsmith.
ABC recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving:
• PLAN AHEAD: Plan a safe way home before the fun begins.
• DESIGNATE A DRIVER: Before drinking, designate a sober driver.
VOLUNTEERING TO BE A SOBER DRIVER? The Office of Traffic Safety Designated
Driver – Very Important Person (DDVIP) program partners with bars and restaurants to offer nonalcoholic specialty drinks for DDs, among other deals: http://bit.ly/OTSDDrinks. To learn more about DDVIP and other OTS awareness, education and enforcement campaigns, visit www.ots.ca.gov, as well as the OTS Facebook and Twitter pages: https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOTS/ and https://twitter.com/OTS_CA?lang=en.
ABC: "During the high-visibility enforcement campaign Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, which runs from Dec. 14-Jan. 1, many law enforcement agencies will have more officers on the road conducting saturation patrols looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The California ABC will be doing its part by checking on businesses licensed to sell alcohol and also large community gatherings where alcohol is sold."
DDVIP Program: "The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is available for free download on iOS and Android devices. The DDVIP app offers to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Also through the app, for those who want to make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride.
Don't let the next victim of DUI be your loved ones! Happy and safe holidays!