The holidays can be a busy time for all of us, especially if you’re a member of the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD). There’s nothing less jolly than downing five dirty eggnogs at your neighbor Frank’s ugly sweater party then getting pulled over by NBPD on Christmas weekend after you’ve decide you’re toe-tall-ay kewwwwl to drive home. Spoiler alert: If you’re drinking and driving, you’re never cool.
Here’s how to stay safe and avoid trouble (and parking tickets) as Christmas and New Year’s Eve descends upon our gentle Peninsula:
Holiday Parking Enforcements Lifted
There will be no street sweeping (and therefore no parking enforcement for street sweeping) on Monday, December 25. Expect to see frequent reminders on social from NBPD but for if you’re looking to plan ahead, there will also be no sweeping enforcement on Friday, December 29 and on Monday, January 1.
DUI Checkpoint Scheduled for TONIGHT in Newport Beach
The Newport Beach Police Department is focused on keeping the road safe this holiday season and from Dec. 15 through Jan. 1, 2018 is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make that mission a reality.
A special year-end Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement program has been enacted for this timeframe and as part of this initiative, the NBPD will be conducting a roving DUI checkpoint throughout Newport Beach tonight, Friday Dec. 22.
“During these last few weeks of 2017, drivers may notice increased enforcement in Newport Beach,” said Sergeant Mike Schiavi. “We are watching closely for anyone who might be impaired behind the wheel … With extra travelers on the road, and people attending holiday festivities, we know it is likely that we will see an uptick in drunk driving … so we’ll increase our efforts to counteract that. Our goal is to get everyone home safely this holiday season.”
Added OTS Director Rhonda Craft, “Before you head out to any celebration, plan how you are getting home safely. If you are drinking, that means knowing what sober driver or service you will be using.”
Here are some ways to safely celebrate this holiday seaon:
- Download the California Office of Traffic Safety’s Designated Driver VIP (DDVIP) mobile app, available for free on all iOS and Android devices. (Download DDVIP: App Store | Google Play.) The app helps designated sober drivers find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives (e.g. free non-alcoholic drinks and appetizers). You can also use the app to contact Uber, Lyft or Curb or to get a sober ride home.
- Get a Lyft. Download here and get $2 off 10 rides.
- Call an Uber. Download: App Store | Google Play.
Stay safe, Newport Beach!
[Featured image via Facebook.com/NewportBeachPolice]
