The Lumberjack

Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Blake Weaver

The California Highway Patrol, in partnership with state and local agencies, has started a campaign to reduce the number of drunk driving arrests in Arcata. It will be an educational and enforcement campaign designed to reduce alcohol-involved collisions. It is called the Option B program, as it will give students another option to drinking and driving. The program began Sept. 1 and will last for one year.

"The DUI threat constantly puts people in danger" said Captain Robert J. Del Mase of the California Highway Patrol. "We aren't just going to increase enforcement of DUIs, but raise awareness."

Officer John Packer of the Humboldt State University Police said the program would make an emotional appeal to the students through stories of DUI tragedies. "We want to raise awareness of the dangers of consuming alcohol, because everyone is affected; even those who aren't drinking, as they are often the victims of DUI accidents."

Emily Gruzi, Humboldt State sophomore and art major, supports the program. "I think this is a great idea." she said. "Too many people have the attitude that it's no big deal to drink and drive, or they somehow justify it. But people die from drunk drivers all the time. I know a few people that have been killed by drunk assholes on the road. There's no excuse for it."

Part of the program will be the placement of DUI checkpoints located at or near campus, especially when major events are taking place on campus.

"You can expect to see more uniformed officers on campus and at campus events," said Tom Dewey, Chief of the Humboldt State Police Department.

Dewey said that the educational side of the program should be the most powerful tool to make people pause before drinking and driving, "This isn't just about enforcement, but about getting people to make wise choices and give them the information they need to make those choices."

In 2001, there were 336 DUI incidents in Arcata. In 2006, that number rose to 442, indicating a rising trend of drunk driving and a need for a different approach to the problem.

Paul Mann, senior communication officer for Humboldt State said, "We want to educate the college students. We don't want students to jeopardize their student careers, their lives, or the lives of others by drinking and driving."

Blake Weaver can be contacted at bcw19@humboldt.edu

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools