City of San Carlos - Avoid 23 Program

Avoid the 23 is a holiday tradition in San Mateo County. All 23 law enforcement agencies join forces to crack down on the drinking driver, adding overtime hours, reassigning officers and emphasizing drinking driver enforcement with officers on regular patrol. The campaign's methods are public education, community help and strict, quick enforcement. The Police Chiefs Association of San Mateo County sponsor the campaign. Avoid the 23 along with Avoid the 13 in Santa Clara County, Avoid the 21 in the East Bay and Avoid the Six Pack in Santa Cruz County in securing the Peninsula, East Bay and Silicon Valley against drinking drivers.

The Costs Of Drinking And Driving Are High

Here are approximate monetary costs for a first-time driving under the influence (DUI) misdemeanor:

• Fine, penalty assessment, other assessments and fees, jail booking fee: $2,700
• Emergency response fee charged by some police departments: $300
• Insurance-added cost per year: $1,000
• DMV License Reissue Fee: $120
• Alcohol Education Program: $626
• Car Impound Fee: $175
• Lawyer's charges for pre-trial at consultations, trial and expert witnesses: $5,000
• Transportation Costs: A six-month pass on SamTrans:$174
• Missed work days: 14 days
• TOTAL: $10,095

Drink And Drive - Lose Your License

The law enforcement officer who pulls you over will take your license away on the spot if you're caught driving with a blood alcohol level of . 08 or higher. You'll be issued a 30-day temporary driving permit pending a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles, which will suspend your license for four months. There is no court hearing or plea bargaining. If you're a repeat offender, your license will be suspended for one year.

What Can The Average Person Do?

• Designate A Driver
  Before you go to a party, designate someone in your group who will stick to non-alcoholic beverages and drive everyone else home safely. Your judgment is the first thing to go once you start to drink, so don't wait until you get to the party. If everyone in your group wants to drink, call a taxicab to take you to the party as well as bring you home. The fare is a real bargain compared to the dangers and costs of drinking and driving.
• Give Parties Responsibly
  If you're giving a party, ask your guests for the name of their designated driver the minute they come in the door and don't serve alcohol to that person. Serve food to buffer the alcohol, don't over-serve, pour standard drinks instead of doubles and serve non-alcoholic beverages and snacks during the last hour of the party so people can start to bum off the alcohol.
• Give Law Enforcement A Call
  Call 911 if you see a drunk or impaired driver or any other crime in progress. The dispatcher will direct your call immediately.

Who Will Be On Patrol?

To help discourage drinking drivers, the San Carlos Police Department will put extra police officers on the street each night during the annual crackdown to patrol for drunk drivers.

During this time there will be 23 sobriety checkpoints, 14 nights of regional strike team enforcement and extra street patrols provided by the 61 Law Enforcement agencies from Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.