Los Gatos Weekly-Times 'Avoid the 13' plans to keep holidays safe Local law enforcement agencies to crack down on drunk drivers By Michelle Alaimo Local police agencies plan to flood the streets with officers this holiday season in an effort to crack down on drivers who might have had a little too much eggnog. The blitz is part of the 25th annual "Avoid the 13" campaign, which runs for 17 days beginning Dec. 18. During that time, police will host nine sobriety checkpoints in Santa Clara County, including one scheduled for Dec. 18 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Hamilton Avenue at Creekside Way in Campbell. The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department will assist with the checkpoint, Sgt. Michael Yorks of the LG-MSPD, said. Yorks said the checkpoints are very successful because of the high level of drunk-driving awareness during the campaign. "Those who would drive drunk decide to use other methods, such as a taxi," Yorks said. Last year, police in Santa Clara County arrested 982 people, and they expect to arrest close to 1,000 this year, officials with the Avoid the 13 campaign said. "DUIs are the number-one attributed factor to fatal accidents," Yorks said. But for the past three years, there have been no alcohol-related accident fatalities during the campaign. However, there were 44 alcohol-related injury collisions, the third lowest in 19 years, Jan Ford, spokeswoman for Avoid the 13, said. In addition to checkpoints, police departments and the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department will emphasize DUI awareness during regular beats. Yorks said the LG-MSPD will assign one officer a night who will specifically focus on DUI incidents. Lt. Cary Colla with the Sheriff's Westside Substation said his staffing will be at a maximum level and that deputies, "will vigorously enforce the DUI law." The California Highway Patrol also plans to have 75 to 90 percent of available officers patrolling the highways. And Alpha Cab Company of San Jose will offer free rides home to those who think they had a little too much to drink on Dec. 19, 24, and 31. The Santa Clara County Police Chiefs Association sponsors the Avoid the 13 campaign. The campaign is funded by a three-year grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety. [ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, December 16, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.