Crime & Safety
DUI Crackdown by Albany Police Today
Albany police are conducting extra patrols today for those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It's part of the department's ongoing traffic safety efforts.
The purpose is to "stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers in our ongoing traffic safety campaign," according to a police announcement.
Driving under the influence is a "deadly crime" that "led to 774 deaths in 2010 because someone failed to designate a sober driver," the department's announcement said. "After falling dramatically for five straight years, figures for 2011 indicate that DUI deaths remained the same as 2010."
"DUI can impact the economy in addition to the pain and suffering of those immediately affected," police said. "Conservatively, a fatality has a $1.4 million impact, an injury $70,000, and a crash that only damages property averages nearly $9,000."
Funding for the anti-DUI campaign comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the California Office of Traffic Safety, according to police.
Anyone seeing impaired driving is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately. Police said the following clues may indicate driving under the influence:
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• weaving or swerving
• traveling at much slower or much faster speeds
• braking erratically
• remaining at traffic lights once they turn green
• headlights off at night
Those wishing more information can contact Sgt. Chris Willis at 510-525-7300 or cwillis@albanyca.org.
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