The California Highway Patrol is issuing a warning about a 10-month enhanced enforcement effort to reduce the number of people killed and injured in collisions related to driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs on state Route 14 in Los Angeles County.

“Our goal is to save lives by ensuring California’s roadways are a safe place for all motorists,” said Capt. Mark Odle, commander of CHP’s Newhall Area. “Removing impaired drivers from the road is the ultimate goal in that direction.”

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CHP officers from Newhall Area and Antelope Valley Area are continuing their Highway 14 DUI Corridor Task Force efforts and collaborating with regional law enforcement agencies to provide enhanced anti-DUI enforcement roving patrols within their jurisdictions on Highway 14 in Los Angeles County. “We’re optimistic that this anti-DUI campaign will raise awareness and prevent collisions or additional loss of life resulting from impaired driving,” added Odle.

During a three-year period (2007-2009), there were 13 people killed and 258 others seriously injured as a result of alcohol-involved collisions on Highway 14 between Newhall and Lancaster in Los Angeles County.  During a 10-month comparison period (Dec. 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2009), there were 12 people killed and 211 others seriously injured in alcohol-involved collisions on the same identified segment of the Highway 14 corridor in Los Angeles County.

The CHP will conduct a 10-month enhanced enforcement campaign starting on Dec. 1, 2011, and continuing through Sept. 30, 2012.  During that time, CHP officers will enforce all traffic laws with a special emphasis on the apprehension of drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs; including drivers speeding, making unsafe passes, or improper turns.  Officers will also strictly enforce the use of seat belts, child safety seats, and drivers caught texting while driving.

Funding for the “Arrive Alive Sober Driving Coalition IV” project is provided by a grant awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.