Don't Drink and Drive This Cinco de Mayo

For many, Cinco de Mayo is a time for celebration and enjoying delicious food from South of the Border. Sadly, there will be some people who will put lives in danger by drinking and driving on May 5. 

To protect the community from drunk drivers, the Sheriff's Department will be adding extra DUI patrols across San Diego County through Tuesday, May 6 at 3 a.m. 

During the Cinco De Mayo DUI enforcement period in 2013, the Sheriff's Department arrested 27 people for drunk driving across San Diego County. 

"Cinco de Mayo has unfortunately become one of the most dangerous days of the year, all because of drunk driving," said Sheriff Bill Gore. "People can be seriously injured or killed in crashes caused by drunk drivers. Here's the worst part: drunk-driving deaths are 100 percent preventable. Don't drink and drive! Remember … BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING!" 

If you do drink this Cinco de Mayo, be sure to have a designated driver ready or call a taxi to take you home. 

Also this month, the Sheriff's Department will be cracking down on people who don't wear their seat belts. The Click It or Ticket campaign will run from May 19 to June 1. Anyone caught not wearing their seat belt may be cited. 

More importantly, wearing a seat belt could mean the difference between life and death. 

San Diego County Sheriff's Deputies issued 1,012 citations for seat belt violations in 2013. 

Remember to always wear your seat belt … CLICK IT OR TICKET!!! 

Funding for the Cinco de Mayo DUI patrols is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

—San Diego County Sheriff's Department