Since driving under the influence continues to be a major traffic safety problem in California as evidenced by the more than 210,000 arrests statewide in 2009, the California Highway Patrol has created a task force whose goal is to hold individuals with outstanding warrants relating to DUI’s accountable for their actions and reduce the number of warrants for offenses relating to DUI’s statewide.

“The majority of motorists abide by the law, drive safe and don’t drink and drive,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “These DUI warrants target individuals who did not complete necessary actions when charged with a DUI, such as failing to appear before a judge or violating probations.”

The task force is currently pursuing more than 330,000 misdemeanors and felony warrants related to DUI. To help accomplish the mission of the DUI warrant service teams, the CHP receives a federal grant.

Efforts of the warrant services teams will be concentrated within the four CHP divisions containing the highest number of DUI warrants: Valley, Southern, Border, and Inland. Warrant service operations will continue through September 30.

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“We’re letting the public know, if you make the poor decision to drink and drive, there are consequences,” said Farrow. “This aggressive approach to combating DUI will result in a safer environment for motoring public.”

Individuals with outstanding DUI warrants can also turn themselves in to their local CHP Area office for the purposes of surrendering themselves on their own terms; otherwise, they will be arrested wherever they are located.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.