This Fourth of July, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department wants you to celebrate responsibly by not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Sheriff's Deputies will be conducting increased impaired driving patrols on Sunday, July 4 and throughout the holiday weekend. 

Deputies will also be holding DUI checkpoints in the following cities: 

• Poway – Friday, July 2 from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
• Lemon Grove – Saturday, July 3 from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

In 2020, deputies arrested 774 people for impaired driving in San Diego County.  So far in 2021, more than 400 people have been arrested for driving under the influence by the Sheriff's Department.

"I can't stress this point enough: crashes caused by impaired driving are 100 percent preventable," said Sheriff Bill Gore.  "If you are caught driving under the influence this Independence Day weekend, you will be arrested."

Driving under the influence doesn't just mean alcohol.  It also means driving under the influence of prescription drugs or marijuana.

If you do drink, be sure to have a designated driver, ride sharing service or taxi ready.

Watch our video on the high price of impaired driving by clicking on the above photo or this link.  An impaired driving arrest and conviction can cost more than $15,000 in legal and court fees. 

Remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Funding for the Fourth of July weekend impaired driving patrols/checkpoints is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).