San Diego County Sheriff's Department: Crime Lab Impaired Driving Grant

Coronado CA

22 December, 2021

9:34 AM

Description

Press release from San Diego County Sheriff's Department: 12/21/2021 1:25 PM December is National Drunk and Driving Prevention Month. With more people on the roads traveling to holiday festivities and vacations, there is a higher risk for impaired driving crashes. Driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is a crime, yet one person is killed in a DUI crash every hour in the United States. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department Regional Crime Laboratory is committed to keeping our roadways safe through a $505,723 grant provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). Funding comes from the OTS Improved Testing for Drug Impaired Grant. Our mission is to save lives, prevent injuries and reduce impaired driving crashes through education, research, safety standards and enforcement to keep you safe on the road. Watch our public safety video on impaired driving by clicking the image below.  Here's a look at how the Crime Lab will use the money: The Crime Lab provides forensic science services to more than 30 law enforcement agencies in the county. It processes more than 6,000 samples in traffic safety cases per year. So far this year, 5,940 people have been booked into jail for impaired driving in San Diego County. A DUI doesn't just mean alcohol. It can be medication, marijuana and other illegal drugs. Ultimately, the Crime Lab's research will provide rich insight on emerging trends and other factors that could affect impactful campaigns in reducing impaired driving countywide. If you're planning to head out for a holiday festivity, make sure you plan for a safe ride home. Remember, if you feel different. You drive different. Drive sober or Get Pulled Over.  Media Contact: Jennifer Harmon  Crime Lab Director [email protected] This press release was produced by San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.