KING CITY — As summer winds down and students return to school, the King City Police Department is reminding drivers to make safety a priority on local roads.
The department will have additional officers on patrol from Aug. 13 through Labor Day, Sept. 1, looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The enforcement is part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
The department will also hold a DUI checkpoint on Aug. 28 from 6 to 11 p.m. at an undisclosed location within King City.
“Enjoying the last days of summer should be all about fun and that starts with making safe choices before making plans,” said King City Police Sgt. Anthony Shaw. “Everyone deserves to get home safely, and it starts with your everyday actions.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,904 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in the United States in 2024, an average of one person every 44 minutes.
The department offers the following tips to go safely:
- Plan Ahead: If you know you’ll be drinking, arrange for a designated sober driver, call a ridesharing service, taxi or use public transportation.
- Buckle Up: Wearing a seatbelt is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself in the event of a crash.
- Stay Alert: Avoid distractions such as texting or eating while driving. Keep your focus on the road.
- Follow Speed Limits: Speeding reduces your reaction time and increases the severity of crashes.
- Watch for Pedestrians and Bicyclists: With more people enjoying outdoor activities, be extra vigilant and look out for people biking and walking.
- Take Breaks: If you’re traveling long distances, take regular breaks to rest and avoid fatigue.
Police also reminded residents that impaired driving is not limited to alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and cannabis products may also impair a person’s ability to drive.
“If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive,” police said. “If you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, call 911.”
As students return to school, police are also urging drivers to slow down, follow speed limits and use extra caution around school zones.
“This time of year brings increased activity around schools and it’s crucial to be mindful behind the wheel,” Shaw said. “Every driver plays a role in keeping children safe by slowing down and paying close attention in and around school zones. It is all our responsibility to ensure children get to and from school safely.”
The department offers the following tips to stay safe around schools:
- Slow down and follow the speed limit.
- Adhere to school policies and procedures for dropping off and picking up students.
- Stop for school buses. Watch for children rushing to catch the bus or exiting.
- Look out for people walking and yield at all marked and unmarked crosswalks.
- For parents with children walking or biking to school, teach them safe walking and riding behaviors, such as looking both ways before crossing the street, using sidewalks when available and crossing at corners when there is no marked crosswalk.
Drivers who are behind a school bus with a stop sign and flashing red lights need to stop so students can safely get on and off the bus, police said. They must remain stopped while the red lights are on, and drivers in both directions must stop on any two-lane road without a median or a center turn lane.
More traffic safety information is available at gosafelyca.org.
Funding for the DUI enforcement program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
