SACRAMENTO – A new campaign supported by the California Highway Patrol and the California Office of Traffic Safety to reduce impaired driving, received funding to run from Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2019.

The Reducing Alcohol-Impaired Driving, or RAID, program will focus on education and enforcement.

The RAID grant enables the CHP to conduct additional driving under the influence checkpoints, DUI saturation patrols, and traffic safety education activities throughout California.

The primary goal of this effort is to make roadways safer by stopping DUI drivers and educating the public on the dangers of impaired driving.

Additionally, the CHP will actively participate in California’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over efforts.

“Our goal with this aggressive education and enforcement campaign is to stop drivers from making the poor decision to drink and drive,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said.

“Most motorists are responsible people who do not drive under the influence,” Stanley said. “Please choose to put the lives of families and other motorists first.”

In 2016, California experienced 572 deaths and 12,450 injuries caused by impaired driving collisions within CHP jurisdiction.

While alcohol is a primary factor for many impaired driving collisions, the presence of drugs in fatal and injury collisions continues to increase.

Driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, prescription or illicit drugs, or any impairing combination of alcohol and drugs, is illegal.

A driver’s judgment and ability to react are both impaired when driving high. Driving either drunk or high is a DUI.

The CHP urges drivers to think ahead before getting on the road if they plan to drink. Designate a sober driver, call a friend or family member, or use public transportation or a ride-hailing service. There is always a better option than getting behind the wheel while impaired. The public is also reminded to call 9-1-1 if they see a suspected DUI driver. Be prepared to provide a location, direction of travel, and vehicle description.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.