38 arrested in DUI crackdown

Thirty-eight drivers operating their motor vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol learned that the Huntington Beach Police Department meant it when they launched their “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

According to Jennifer Carey, public information officer for the HBPD, that’s how many people were arrested from Aug. 18 to Sept. 6 (Labor Day) on DUI charges. Additional officers were deployed in this operation.

There were:

• Twenty-two drivers who were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol
• Ten drivers who were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs
• Two drivers who were arrested for driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol
• Four drivers who were arrested for felony driving under the influence and causing traffic collisions that resulted in injury.

So far this year, the HBPD has investigated five collisions that killed seven people and injured four others.

First-time charges for DUI are an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, which could include a suspended license.