The Los Angeles Police Department will begin a series of drunken driving checkpoints and saturation patrols Thursday in connection with Cinco de Mayo, which authorities say prompts an increase in drunken driving.
The LAPD will conduct saturation patrols in Van Nuys from 6 p.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday and in South Los Angeles from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Sobriety checkpoints will be operated at Vermont Avenue and Sixth Street and at Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street from 7 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday; Cahuenga Boulevard and Broadlawn Drive in the Cahuenga Pass near Universal Studios from 7 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday; and Imperial Highway and Main Street from 7 p.m. Sunday to 3 a.m. Monday.
The LAPD also suggests that party hosts, bars and restaurants this year encourage to plan and promote the designation of sober drivers in advance.
The LAPD is also advising Cinco de Mayo partygoers to:
-- Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
-- Designate a sober driver;
-- Leave your car keys at home;
-- Call a taxi, a friend or family member or use public transit to ensure you get home safely;
-- Call 911 if you see a drunken driver on a street or freeway;
-- Take the car keys away from someone who is about to drive impaired and assist them in getting home safely.
