(File photo)

The Los Angeles Police Department announced
it will have additional officers on patrol during the holiday season on the lookout for impaired motorists.

The increased enforcement effort will begin on Wednesday and continue
through New Year’s Day, the LAPD said.

“The LAPD is committed to keeping our community safe and encourages
everyone to stay in for the night or use a designated sober driver when you
have consumed alcohol, marijuana, prescription or over-the-counter drugs that may impair an individual’s ability to drive,” police said in a statement.

The effort is part of the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled
Over” campaign, authorities said.

`During this holiday season, the LAPD wants everyone to act
responsibly and drive safe,” said LAPD Cmdr. Al Pasos. “When it comes to
driving on our roadways, please don’t drive while under the influence of
alcohol and/or drugs. Make the right choice for your family and your community, so everyone can have a safe and happy holiday season.”

Included in the effort will be a DUI checkpoint on Wednesday from 6
p.m. to 11 p.m. at Sunset Boulevard and Orange Grove Avenue, in Hollywood, and a DUI checkpoint on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Century Boulevard and Western Avenue, in the Gramercy Park area.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California
Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration.