The roughly seven-mile stretch of Coast Highway in Laguna Beach is known worldwide for its postcard-perfect views and gateway to the city’s eclectic art and retail scene.
But it is also ground zero for drunk drivers.
Officials say Laguna Beach has had the highest number of DUI arrests per capita of any city of its size in California for at least two decades, in part because it is a magnet for many tourists and visitors who drive in for the day.
A New Enforcement Program
The situation has prompted Laguna Beach to embark on a new enforcement program that, if successful, could be a model for other communities.
When a suspected DUI driver is arrested in the city, the police department sends a letter to the business where the person had their last drink.
The hope is that the information will help owners and employees recognize possible patterns, such as when patrons are leaving too drunk or act as a catalyst to retrain staff on signs of intoxication.
While the letter doesn’t include the driver’s name, it has their blood alcohol content and the date, time, and location of their arrest.
The Notification System
Officials say it supplements other anti-DUI efforts, including checkpoints and efforts to help educate patrons to the dangers of getting behind the wheel drunk.
Still, the police department was making a couple of hundred DUI arrests a year.
“The data shows us this is a problem that we need to address and I think this is a really very innovative, collaborative and data-driven way of doing that,” said Mayor Alex Rounaghi.
“Any time that we can save a life and prevent future deaths it’s important for us to do that.”
Awareness Among Merchants
Authorities hope the notification system will raise awareness among merchants and help them be more aware of when customers have had one too many.
“It’s not intended to be punitive because the business owners don’t know what they don’t know,” Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert said.
“So it’s an opportunity for them to look at whether there’s a pattern with certain bartenders overserving or do some additional education with not only their bartenders, but their security staff.”
The Problem of Drunk Driving
The proliferation of drunk drivers has been a persistent problem in beach communities across the state where tourists and residents frequently visit to imbibe at a swanky restaurant or a local bar just steps from the sand.
Huntington Beach got so fed up with drunk driving issues that it considered in 2010 publicly shaming arrestees by posting their names on Facebook.
In 2020, a woman was sentenced to 51 years to life in state prison for a DUI crash that killed three Las Vegas teenagers and seriously injured a fourth in Huntington Beach two years earlier.
Consequences of Drunk Driving
Residents for years have complained about the noise and quality of life issues that stem from late-night visitors to the city’s watering holes.
The city’s geography – nestled between two other beach cities with robust nightlife – and its concentration of more than 130 establishments make it a prime location for DUI arrests, police say.
Sometimes the motorists have been drinking in town. Other times, they’re caught taking the picturesque drive along Coast Highway that connects Laguna Beach to other cities.
Conclusion
Laguna Beach has taken a new approach to combating drunk driving, sending letters to businesses where patrons have been arrested for DUI.
The hope is that this program will raise awareness among merchants and help prevent future incidents.
FAQs
Q: What is the new enforcement program?
A: The program involves sending letters to businesses where patrons have been arrested for DUI, in an effort to raise awareness and prevent future incidents.
Q: How does the notification system work?
A: The notification system sends a letter to the business where the person had their last drink, with information about the arrest, including the date, time, and location, as well as the driver’s blood alcohol content.
Q: What are the consequences of drunk driving?
A: The consequences of drunk driving can include arrest, fines, and even imprisonment. Drunk driving can also cause accidents, injuries, and fatalities, and can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those affected.
Q: What is the goal of the program?
A: The goal of the program is to raise awareness among merchants and help prevent future incidents of drunk driving, ultimately saving lives and preventing injuries.
