Authorities step up anti-DUI campaign for Halloween

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Law enforcement officers throughout San Diego County
will be out in force Friday looking for suspected drunken drivers as part of a
Halloween crackdown, according to sheriff's officials.

The “Avoid the 15” anti-DUI task force, named for the number of area
law enforcement agencies involved, began stepped-up patrols Thursday and plans
to continue the crackdown through Nov. 4, according to San Diego County
sheriff's Lt. Phil Brust.

A saturation patrol operation is scheduled for Saturday in the vicinity
of the San Diego State University campus, Brust said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 48
percent of highway deaths on Halloween night nationwide in 2010 involved a
drunken driver.

Sheriff's officials advised revelers to plan a safe way home before
festivities begin; use a sober driver, taxi or public transportation; and to
stop would-be drunken drivers before they get behind the wheel.