California DAs: DUIs are 100% avoidable - celebrate safely

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Deadly DUIs are on the increase across California, and the state's district attornies are sounding the alarm: They are 100 percent avoidable, and it's easy to celebrate safely.

"Don't Drink and Drive" has been a campaign from the Ad Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since 1983, but its message continues to be extremely important as people continue to lose their lives due to a driver under the influence, and those numbers are rising.

During a press conference this week, the district attornies (DAs) said that while they're "sounding the alarm" this year has been over several crimes including illegal guns, fraud, and a rise in thefts, this time they said it has become apparent there is a need for more anti-DUI messaging.

The El Dorado County DA Vern Pierson said the county is full of dangerous roads, and those drinking and driving are making them even more dangerous. Pierson said the California Highway Patrol (CHP) says these roads are some of the most dangerous in the state.

Even with increased efforts to curb drinking and driving, numbers of DUI and DUI-caused fatalities are still climbing, said Pierson.

Placer County had two separate incidents of fatal DUIs on the same day their DA said, and Nevada County saw a fatal tragic alleged wrong-way DUI crash that killed four members of a Sacramento area family on Interstate 80 near Donner Summit during the Thanksgiving Day weekend. The driver was on probation from a previous DUI.

The DAs said each county in the state has seen a significant number of fatalities on the streets and are concerned about what will happen during the holidays with celebratory travelers.

Placer County has increased messaging and they are putting posters in restrooms at local bars and restaurants and in other locations that highlight the message, Friends Don't Let Friends DUI.

December marks National Impaired Driving Prevention Month – and rightfully so – drinking-related deaths rise up to 41 percent during Christmas and up to 58 percent during the New Year’s holiday.

Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said the posters they are circulating have a QR Code on them that goes to alternative transportation to prevent them from getting behind the wheel.

Gire said it's okay to stop people from driving when impaired, the reason for their 'friends' campaign.

Just about everyone learns the words "Don't Drive And Drive" early on in their lives, and most understand it is dangerous to drink and drive. During the pandemic, alcohol and drug sales and consumption have increased, and there has been a correlated increase in DUIs and fatal DUIs.

Figures from El Dorado County:
2019
• Fatal crashes: 30
• Dead: 32
• Dead as a result of DUI: 11
• Cause = DUI: 10
• Ped (U.I.) as Cause: 0

2020
• Fatal crashes: 18
• Dead: 21
• Dead as a result of DUI: 7
• Cause = DUI: 6
• Ped (U.I.) as Cause: 2

2021
• Fatal crashes: 21
• Dead: 22
• Dead as a result of DUI: 14
• Cause = DUI: 13
• Ped (U.I.) as Cause: 1

"We are seeing people who are driving faster and acting more aggressively," said Pierson, and that combined with impairment is a real concern.

"I hope that there are no more DUIs. Offering food or coffee to sober up isn't enough - it's time [that is needed]. Be the person who steps up to do the right thing," said Rhonda Campbell of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). "The lives you save are precious to somebody."

Fresno County District Attorney, Lisa A. Smittcamp said their repeat DUI offenders are up almost 100 percent, and people are getting the treatment they need to stop the cycle.

"Even if not drinking, if you are around others who are you need to be responsible drivers, friends, and family members," said Smittcamp. "Grab the keys! Take accountability and be responsible, if you see something, say something."

Kern County DA said they are seeing twice as many cases and this year there have been 21 deaths due to DUI.

In San Diego, they had 33 deaths due to DUI in 2020, and 37 lives lost this year by DUI and drug-impaired so far in 2021. That county has been averaging 15-20 DUI-caused deaths a year for the last 20 years so the numbers are almost double this year.

"We are seeing more combination of drugs and alcohol, and alcohol levels that higher than average," said San Diego DA Summer Stephan. "We are seeing more prescription drugs and marijuana combined with alcohol."

The Office of Traffic Safety offers grants to police and sheriff's offices for outreach and enforcement including DUI checkpoints. While these methods help, the DAs stressed not only friends stopping friend's driving if impaired, but tougher laws to prevent repeat offenders.