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Published on 12/22/1999 All articles from this issue

Crackdown on drunk drivers in effect through 'Avoid the 13' patrols

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Town Crier Staff Report

Los Altos police officers have joined together with colleagues throughout Santa Clara County for the annual 17-day "Avoid the 13" holiday crackdown on drunk drivers, which began last Friday.

Los Altos officers will staff a checkpoint today from noon to 3 p.m., at El Monte Road and Santa Barbara Street, said Sgt. Tom Connelly.

The program, which began 26 years ago with 13 law enforcement agencies in Santa Clara County, is about saving lives, Connelly added.

Connelly said, through the program, police hope to "identify and remove those who have had too much 'cheer' to drive."

Los Altos police kicked-off the anti-drinking-and-driving campaign with a checkpoint last Friday at San Antonio Road and Loucks Avenue. Police arrested three motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol, one motorist for driving with a suspended license, and gave several citations to drivers not wearing seat belts, Connelly said.

Los Altos Police also participated in the North County Strike Team last Saturday that focuses on cracking down on drunk drivers in Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos and Stanford University.

Connelly said in addition to the checkpoints, there will be additional officers on duty looking for drunk drivers through the holiday season.

The "Avoid the 13" will run until midnight, Jan. 4.