Anti-DUI Enforcers Say Boozy Driving Arrests Were Up This Summer

​Orange County's "Avoid the 38" anti-DUI campaign, which involves policing agencies throughout the region, released preliminary figures on arrests made during routine patrols, special patrols of roads frequented by drunken drivers and sobriety checkpoints over 18 summer days.

Cautioning that figures from all reporting agencies are not yet in, officers representing 38 county law enforcement agencies arrested 856 people for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs from 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19, through midnight Monday, Sept. 5.

Over the same period in 2010, there were 665 DUI arrests.

Last year, there were also no DUI deaths during the summer enforcement period, but this year a death in Anaheim was attributed to a drunken driver.

"Avoid the 38," which is coordinated through the Orange County Sheriff's Department and funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vows to launch more anti-DUI operations in OC around Halloween and the Thanksgiving weekend.

Learn more about the statewide campaign at www.californiaavoid.org.