Through Jan. 4, police officers will keep a heightened alert for motorists driving under the influence of alcohol.

"The patrol officer can stop a vehicle for reasons as simple as the license plate light is out. But once we stop a vehicle and smell the odor of alcohol from the driver, we can pull the driver out of the car and conduct sobriety tests," said Capt. John Hirokawa.

On Jan. 3, the Sheriff's Office will run a sobriety checkpoint at the intersection of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Tantau Avenue between 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. If traffic volume permits, the police will stop all vehicles and check the drivers for DUI.

"There is a misconception that if you are drunk, you cannot walk straight or stand up. If a person is arrested for DUI, it doesn't mean that the person is drunk, but that the person's driving is impaired because of the influence of alcohol," Hirokawa said. "Even if a person's alcohol blood concentration is under the legal limit of 0.08 percent, the police can still arrest the person for DUI if we can prove his or her driving is impaired."

Hirokawa said the most dangerous motorists are what he calls "borderline drivers."

"There are people who know they are drunk and drive 25 miles per hour on Highway 280. We arrest them, but it is those who are a little tipsy and drive 80 miles per hour on the highway that really worry us," Hirokawa said. "They are already a little tipsy and not fully aware of their surroundings but still believe their driving is not impaired. These are the ones who take more chances."

Hirokawa offers a few suggestions:

*Drink at home.

*People who are drunk should take a cab or have a designated driver to take them home.

*People under age 21 shouldn't drink.

"People don't realize when they are drunk and drive a car, which normally weighs 2 or 3 tons, they are driving a deadly weapon," Hirokawa said. "It is not worth it putting yourself behind the wheel when you are drunk and ruining your holidays."