Police boost DUI patrols for weekend

Coming out of one major holiday and facing another, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach police said they were prepared to round up those who drink and drive over the New Year’s weekend. At the same time, public and private organizations offered ways for those who drink to avoid getting behind the wheel.

The Costa Mesa Police Department takes volunteers to patrol for drunk drivers on New Year’s Eve, Lt. David Andersen said.

Surprisingly, he said, the night many expect to drink heavily is often slow for traffic enforcement. He said that for some, the message that strong enforcement sends has clearly sunk in.

“Traffic is lower than normal, and there are a lot of taxis on the road,” he said. “People realize that’s not the night to be drinking and driving. The cops are out, and everybody knows it.”

Sgt. Evan Sailor said Newport Beach police would bolster patrols over the weekend, though the department always has a dedicated patrol for DUI enforcement.

Revelers who don’t wish to be pulled over can take advantage of special Orange County Transportation Authority “Night Owl” bus lines that run until 4 a.m., according to a news release from the agency.

Buses passing through the Newport-Mesa area are Route 43, connecting Costa Mesa and La Habra via Harbor Boulevard and Whittier Boulevard, and Route 57, connecting Newport Beach and Brea via State College Boulevard and Bristol Street.

Those already stuck somewhere with their cars over the weekend can take advantage of the Automobile Club of Southern California’s fifth annual Tipsy Tow service. From Friday through the end of Jan. 1, members and nonmembers alike can get their cars towed home for free within seven miles, auto club spokeswoman Marie Montgomery said.

Montgomery said her organization stressed planning first and choosing a designated driver, but extraordinary situations do come up.

“This service is intended to be the emergency backup plan,” she said. “You go someplace, and your designated driver leaves, or you didn’t think you were going to drink and you find yourself a little tipsy.”