U.S. police step up patrols in drink-driving crackdown

Law enforcement authorities in the United States have stepped up patrols as part of an annual crackdown on drink driving that will last through the Labor Day weekend in early September.

In Los Angeles County, a total of 239 motorists were detained on Friday, the first day of "saturation patrols," compared with 236 arrested the same time last year, authorities said Saturday.

Californian authorities have launched warrant and probation sweeps targeting repeat offenders, along with court sting operations for driving-under-influence (of alcohol) suspects who disobeyed court orders not to drive on suspended licenses.

Media campaigns were also held in 42 counties in the state, with daily updates on drink-driving arrests, upcoming notices of the nightly enforcements, and reports of fatal drink-driving crashes overnight.

The checkpoints will continue throughout the night in San Gabriel, Hollywood and Los Angeles Police Department's West and Valley Traffic areas, Wendy Brewer of the Glendora Police Department said.

Michigan police said the annual effort has been successful.

"The traffic crash fatality rates have come way down thanks to the efforts of drunk driving patrols," 9&10 News, a TV station based in northern Michigan, quoted police officer Mike Mihalic as saying.

Labor Day is a public holiday in the United States that falls on the first Monday of September.

Source: Xinhua