DUI Checkpoints in Los Angeles During Super Bowl, AAA Offers Free Rides

Once again, the Super Bowl is upon us! Don't ruin a great day cheering for your team by spending the evening in jail because of you didn't plan your day and got a DUI.

Remember, the cops will be on high alert during Super Bowl weekend for drunk drivers throughout all of Los Angeles, so don't drive drunk. A DUI can be easily avoidable with careful planning.

Here are a few of the saturation patrols and DUI checkpoints this Super Bowl weekend:

Friday, Jan. 30
• Sobriety/Driver License Checkpoint from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. on Lankershim Boulevard at Vanowen Street in North Hollywood.
• Sobriety/Driver License Checkpoint from 10 P.M. to 4 A.M. on Hollywood Boulevard at Gower Street in Hollywood.

Saturday, Jan. 31
• Sobriety/Driver License Checkpoint from 7 P.M. to 1 A.M. on Western Avenue at Slauson Avenue in 77th Street Area.
• Sobriety/Driver License Checkpoint from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. on Oxnard Street at Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood.
• Sobriety/Driver License Checkpoint from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M. on Cahuenga Boulevard at  Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood.

Sunday, Feb. 1
• DUI Saturation Patrol from 4 P.M. to 12 A.M. in Central Bureau.
• DUI Saturation Patrol from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M. in Topanga area.
• DUI Saturation Patrol from 5 P.M. to 1 A.M. in 77th Street area.
• DUI Saturation Patrol from 7 P.M. to 3 A.M. in Wilshire area.


If you do get busted, here is information on sobriety tests you will encounter.

To make the best out of your weekend, plan alternative transportation to ensure a fun and safe Super Bowl weekend. “We encourage everyone to make a plan -- designate a sober driver ahead of time, contact a ride-sharing service, or use a taxi or public transportation,” Auto Club of Southern California Chief Executive Robert Bouttier. Once again, AAA offers a complimentary tipsy tow for intoxicated drivers. Here are other alternative transportation to avoid a DUI.

Plan your weekend accordingly, and keep the roads safe for you and others.

USC Defensive Lineman Don Hill Busted for DUI

Don Hill, defensive lineman for USC was arrested in Boise, Idaho early Saturday morning for a DUI. Hill whos is a native of Boise is only 19 years old and redshirted the 2014 season. Apparently, USC is aware of the circumstances regarding the freshman and is currently investigating.

In most states, a DUI for someone under 21 carries a much heavier penalty which can result in a mandatory license suspension of one year. It is yet unknown whether USC will place Hill under disciplinary actions.

Rapper Xzibit Charged with 2 Counts of DUI

Xzibit was charged with 2 counts of DUI and needs to face a judge for his plea.

Xzibit was arrested following his wedding reception in Laguna Beach, California in 2014. On the weekend of his wedding to Krista Joiner, he was stopped by authorities for speeding and later charged with a DUI after failing a Breathalyzer test. He was twice the legal limit at .14, according to TMZ.

According to the police, "the officer contacted the driver and smelled alcohol. This started a driving under the influence investigation which ended with the arrest of Alvin Nathaniel Joiner." He was cuffed and was taken to the station.

Xzibit will most likely pay a base fine of $390 - $1,000 and substantially increased by penalties and assessments. Usually, the prosecutor will allow a minimum base fine on a first offense DUI. His license will also be suspended beginning the day of his conviction as well as needing to complete a 3-month alcohol program called "AB541."

Free AAA Tipsy Tow offered by AAA on New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is one of the worst times to drink and drive. Law enforcement is on high-alert, and will patrolling state-wide to catch DUI offenders. AAA's Tipsy Tow program offers a free tow for anyone drinking and needs a ride and tow home up to 7 miles. This offer is open to everyone. including non-AAA members.

All you need to do is call 800-400-4222 and say, "I need a Tipsy Tow." A driver will pick you up and tow your car home. The service will be available on Dec 31 from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am on Jan 1. Note that the service is available to drivers only. If you are a passenger, you will need to acquire alternate modes of transportation.

For more information, visit the AAA site here: http://ww1.calif.aaa.com/en-ca/driving-resources/Pages/tipsy-tow.aspx.

Start you new year right and drive safely. If you get arrested for a DUI, call 818.936.2140 right away.

New Ignition Interlock Bill to Affect All California DUI Offenders

Ignition Interlock Device

Redwood City - In an effort prevent repeat drunk driving offenders, state Sen. Jerry Hill is introducing legislation that will require convicted California DUI offenders to install a vehicle ignition interlock device. The law will affect first-time and repeat offenders, and will expand on pilot programs already in place in Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare counties.

The pilot program requires vehicle ignition interlocks for five months for first-time DUI offenders and up to four years for repeat DUI offenders. Ignition interlock devices makes a driver first submit a breath sample before starting their car, then provide additional samples once they're driving.

It is expected to be unveiled at a news conference on Monday in Redwood City accompanied by representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and San Mateo and Santa Clara county law enforcement. "We believe it's a better approach than license suspension alone," according to the MADD's director of state govermental affairs, Frank Harris, who believes existing DUI alcohol programs are not sufficient. "It makes that offender prove his sobriety anytime he drives on California roads."

According to advocates ignition interlock laws have proven successful in Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oregon where DUI-related deaths have dropped by 35-43 percent.

Drunk Driver Injures 12 People Looking at Holiday Lights

Eleven people were rushed to hospitals after being struck and injured by a suspected drunk driver on Monday, Dec 15th. The victims were parked inside their vehicles while admiring a holiday light display in Alhambra when Ismael Soto struck two parked cars full of people with his pickup truck.

Soto was arrested under the suspicion of driving under the influence and driving without a license. This would potentially be his second DUI after a prior DUI conviction in October 2013.

Hello Kitty Arrested for Drunk Driving

A woman dressed up like Hello Kitty was pulled over and arrested on a drunk driving charge in Gorham, Maine at about 2:00 am last Sunday.

According to police the Maine woman, Carrie Gipson, was stopped for driving in the wrong lane. When questioned, she refused to take a breath test, was arrested and taken to Cuberland County jail for operating under influence (OUI).

She was photographed wearing a Hello Kitty costume in her police mugshot minus her head piece.

Officers Caught Stealing Nude Photos From Arrestees' Phones

Two California Highway Patrol officers have recently been accused of stealing nude photos from arrestees' cell phones, and texting them to each other. These two CHP officers have been involved in many DUI arrests. One of the officers, Robert Hazelwood, was suppose to testify in a DUI trial on Monday morning in Oakland, but the case was dismissed by the DA.  It now appears that any case these officers were involved in the investigation and/or arrest must be thoroughly reviewed and potentially dismissed.

This is why it is important to fully investigate a criminal offense. These officers have no credibility if they are involved in activities such as these, which demonstrate their abuse of discretion as an authoritative figure. Officers are put in a position of trust, both by the public and in court. However, when evidence like this arises, it demonstrates that you can not presume an individual is credible just because they are an officer. Like any other profession, there are good ethical officers, and bad unethical officers. That is why it is critical to investigate every case thoroughly, because without a proper investigation, critical facts such as these are never uncovered.

Defense attorneys and the public are outraged by this violation of privacy exhibited by these officers. Even though this investigation started in early October; no one was made aware until now. As demeaning as this conduct was by the officers, it has also been a betrayal of trust to the public in not disclosing this information earlier and allowing these officers to continue working. Furthermore, the DA must now do the right thing and file charges against these officers, to show them and the public that no one is above the law.

Michael Phelps Arrested for DUI

18 time Olympics Gold medalist, Michael Phelps, was arrested for suspicion of DUI in Maryland,  early Tuesday morning. Officials say he was driving 84 mph in a 45 Mph zone when he was stopped, leaving Baltimore, Maryland.

Phelps was previously convicted for driving while impaired in November of 2004. In California, Phelps would be charged with a second offense DUI if this date of arrest is within 10 years of his last date of arrest. This would subject him to a mandatory minimum of 96 hours in jail, $2000 in fines, an 18 month alcohol program.

Tuesday afternoon, the swimmer posted a series of tweets apologizing for the incident and taking full responsibility for his actions. It is very surprising that Phelps had made these incriminating comments. It just shows the stigma that DUI carries in our society, because the only reason he would post those tweets is because they are sincere.

Making Sure You Have a Safe 4th of July Weekend

The 4th of July is one of the most American of holidays, which most often includes drinking. Make sure you stay safe. Don't drink and drive.

According to AAA, 79% of Southern Californians are expected to drive this weekend, so if you are driving, make sure you are sober. It will be a hot weekend in Los Angeles so the effects of alcohol will be escalated. Do your best to remain hydrated and not with alcohol!

The California Highway Patrol will begin a maximum enforcement period beginning at 6:01 p.m. today, deploying all available officers onto freeways and county roads in an effort to combat drunken driving. The maximum enforcement period will continue through 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Below is a list of upcoming DUI Checkpoints for the 4th of July weekend.

July 3, 2014
Los Angeles, Vermont Avenue and 5th Street - 8:00 pm - 2:00 am

July 4, 2014
There will be roving saturation patrols on all streets and freeways

July 5, 2015
Hollywood, Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Avenue - 8:00 pm - 2:00 am
Los Angeles, Figueroa Street and 9th Street - 8:00 pm - 2:00 am
North Hollywood, Oxnard Street and Laurel Canyon Boulevard - 8:00 pm - 2:00 am

If you end up entering a DUI Checkpoint find out "What is the Safest Way to Exit a DUI Checkpoint?"

Check back frequently for updates on this page.

This 4th of July, Don’t Try to Stay Hydrated by Drinking Beer

This 4th of July, just like most years in Southern California, it’s expected to be a hot one. When you are at the beach, or by the pool having drinks, remember that it is very important to stay hydrated. When your body is dehydrated, alcohol affects your mental and physical abilities quicker and more intensely. When alcohol enters your blood stream, it goes immediately to the organs that have the most fluid. Your brain and muscles are the quickest to be affected when your body is dehydrated because those are the organs with the most fluid. When your body is hydrated, the alcohol can disperse more equally throughout your entire body.

Also, blood alcohol concentration readings may be higher as a result of dehydration. The lungs are one of the organs with the most fluid, and will have higher concentrations of alcohol when you are dehydrated. This means breathalyzer results will show a higher BAC (blood alcohol concentration) level than you would have if hydrated.

Contrary to popular belief, consuming alcohol is not a good way to stay hydrated. Even though beer has a very low percentage of alcohol, it still causes impairment. The best way to stay hydrated while having drinks, is to drink plenty of water. Water is still the best way to stay hydrated on a hot summer day. So remember to stay safe this 4th of July, and make sure your liquid diet includes lots of water.