Santa Clarita residents should expect to be pulled over if they are suspected of driving under the influence, as the Los Angeles COunty Sheriff’s Department reminds residents about the dangers of drunk driving with the holiday parties looming around the corner.

In 2023 alone, about 12,429 drivers lost their lives in alcohol-impaired incidents that could have been prevented by taking the necessary precautions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Impaired driving can also be attributed to prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, cannabis products and other controlled substances.

To prevent drunk driving or impaired driving, the NHTSA recommends that citizens choose a sober friend as a designated driver, stop their drunk friends from driving, choose a taxi service in lieu of driving, ensure that people have a designated driver at parties and always wear seat belts since it’s considered the “best defense against impaired drivers.”

If Santa Clarita residents don’t follow the NHTSA-recommended guidelines, the LASD plans to enforce a national campaign, called the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, to stop suspected impaired drivers who put other drivers and passengers at risk.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over program’s funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the NHTSA.

As of Tuesday, the LASD is expected to enforce the campaign through New Year’s Day, with additional deputies on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“We want to make sure everyone gets home safely so that they can celebrate the holiday season with their families and loved ones,” said LASD Sgt. Michael Lenning.

“Not only is driving impaired illegal, but it is also dangerous and never acceptable. We are asking everyone to do their part to keep themselves and everyone on the roads safe,” Lenning said.

Santa Clarita residents are encouraged to prevent or report suspected crimes by contacting their local sheriff’s station.

If Santa Clarita residents wish to remain anonymous, residents are encouraged to call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus a tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.

For Santa Clarita residents who wish to receive more information directly from LASD via email, they are encouraged to register for “Nixel” alerts on their website and register for their local sheriff’s station.

Santa Clarita residents can also text their zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only; residents should be aware that standard text messaging rates may apply depending on their cellular plan.

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