FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno police will be out checking for drunk drivers, this memorial day weekend, but it’s not just DUI drivers they are looking for.
Police say in recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes.
The Fresno Police Department supports the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that aims to educate all drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.”
“With the changes in California’s marijuana law, we’re seeing more people that are under the influence and operating a motor vehicle. What people don’t realize a lot of times is that impaired driving even includes over-the-counter medications like Nyquil, for instance or prescribed medications, so anything that reduces your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, we’re very concerned about, that’s why we have that slogan.” – Fresno Police Captain Michael Reid.
Marijuana can also be impairing especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.
Police say if you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI.
Police will be conducting a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint and roving DUI saturation patrols.
The Fresno Police Traffic Unit will be stationed somewhere within Fresno City limits between 6:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. Saturday May 27th.
Click below to listen to the story by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
