CHP beefs up patrols on problematic Santa Barbara County roadways

The California Highway Patrol is beefing up patrols on problematic roadways in Santa Barbara County to reduce traffic collisions involving impaired drivers.

Officers on enhanced enforcement patrols in the Santa Barbara and Buellton areas will be monitoring roadways for impaired drivers in problematic areas in the county including US Highway 101, State Routes 154, 192, and 246.

“Keeping the motoring public safe is our number one priority. Please help us keep our community safe by NOT getting behind the wheel after you have been drinking or using any marijuana products,” said CHP Captain Cindy Pontes, Commander of the Santa Barbara Area office.

Other problematic areas include Hollister Avenue, Ballard Canyon Road, and Via Real.

77 people were injured and killed in traffic collisions involving impaired drivers in the Santa Barbara and Buellton areas between October 1, 2015, and September 30, 2016, according to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.

The Santa Barbara and Buellton area offices are using a federal grant to conduct this regional campaign in Santa Barbara County. The project will last from October 1, 2018, to September 30, 2019.

“This grant will allow for enhanced enforcement of our traffic laws and remove impaired drivers from our roadways,” said CHP Captain Pontes.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

CHP would like to remind drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.”

Prescription medications and marijuana can also be impairing by themselves, or in combination with alcohol with alcohol, and can result in a DUI arrest.