Las Vegas law enforcement to track down drunk drivers this holiday season - News3LV

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — It’s a problem officers see around the clock.

Suspected impaired drivers on valley roadways.

And during the month of December, it tends to get worse.

“People celebrating, people get a little bit depressed too around the holidays,” says Nevada State Police Sgt. Chad Pollock. “So they turn to alcohol.”

In the lobby of department headquarters, troopers are once hanging ornaments on the lifesaving tree.

An annual program that brings home the message of impaired driving.

One bulb for every DUI arrest made during the holidays. Each represents at least one life saved.

“Unfortunately sometimes we have multiple fatalities on some of these horrific crashes,” says Trooper Travis Smaka. “Especially when the impaired driver is going the wrong way or counter flow to traffic.”

From December 10th through January 3rd twenty-six law enforcement agencies statewide will be joining forces to track down drunk drivers.

The Office of Traffic Safety provides funding for additional resources to be put out on the road.

The enforcement comes as another fatality was reported Friday morning.

A 24-year old woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI after an accident at Las Vegas Boulevard and Gass Avenue.

One of the vehicles crashed into the side of a bail bonds office.

“You can't run and you can't hide if you are driving impaired,” says Andrew Bennett with the Office of Traffic Safety. “We're not focusing on checkpoints this year. Our efforts will be through high visibility enforcement. So you might expect to see more resources through marked patrols across the state.”

Here's another example of what police are up against.

Earlier this month 37-year old Darius Gaston was arrested at Summerlin Parkway and 215.

According to his arrest report, Gaston was found asleep behind the wheel of a car stopped at a green traffic signal.

Police say it was his 5th arrest for DUI within the last four years.

Back at the life-saving tree, troopers can only hope motorists use better judgment during the holidays.

“That's always the goal, no bulbs,” says Sgt. Pollock. “But unfortunately that message hasn't been reached yet.”

As always police say if you do drink, get a friend, cab, or ride share service to take you home.

This weekend only, you can use the code: RIDESMART COWBOY to get a discounted ride through Lyft.

source: https://news3lv.com/news/local/las-vegas-law-enforcement-to-track-down-drunk-drivers-this-holiday-season

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