As the summer travel season wraps up, the Susanville Police Department is reminding drivers to be responsible and stay safe by never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The department is asking residents to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families by buckling up, avoiding distractions behind the wheel, following the speed limit and not driving impaired.
“To help keep our community safe,” explains Susanville Police Chief Ryan Cochran, “the Susanville Police Department will have additional officers on patrol August 16th through Labor Day, looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
The additional efforts to prevent impaired driving are part of a national enforcement campaign, Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 13,384 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2021 — that’s one person every 39 minutes.
While drunk driving is a significant traffic safety problem, driving while impaired is not just from alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and cannabis products may also impair. If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive. If you see someone driving impaired, call 9-1-1.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
