By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY
Senior Writer
California Highway Patrol CHP) officers from the Arrowhead Area CHP office in Running Springs racked up six driving under the influence (DUI) arrests during its recent Christmas and New Year’s Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP).
According to CHP Public Information Officer Ubaldo Gonzalez, there were three DUI arrests during the four-day (Dec. 22–25) Christmas Maximum Enforcement Period and three more during the four-day (Dec. 29-Jan. 1) MEP.
All of the DUI arrests, Gonzalez said, were alcohol-related; no drugs were involved. Gonzalez said three additional arrests were made by CHP officers during the dual holiday period, two of which were for the use of illegal fireworks and one for vandalism. All three, he said, occurred in the Crestline area.
CHP officers also issued 19 citations during the Christmas MEP, most of which were related to excessive speed and unsafe movements. Also, one fatality was reported during the Christmas MEP, due to a vehicle rollover incident on Highway 18, south of the upper entrance to Old Waterman Canyon Road. No cause was given for the rollover which is currently under investigation.
Thirty more citations were issued during the New Year’s MEP, some of which, Gonzales said, were related to excessive speed and unsafe movements, as well as expired registration and tinted windows. As far as traffic collisions, 10 were reported during the Christmas MEP and four more during the New Year’s MEP. No injuries were reported.
Noting that many mountain area motorists were seen driving with their emergency warning lights flashing during recent, heavy fog conditions, the Alpine Mountaineer asked Gonzalez about the legality of doing so. “It’s not illegal, but it’s not encouraged. According to VC-25251, the only time you can legally use your flashers is when there is a parked or disabled vehicle parked on the side of the road, or to warn other motorists about road hazards. Otherwise, it’s never legal to use your flashing lights while driving in fog,” Gonzalez said.
When asked whether he had any winter driving advice for motorists, Gonzalez said, “Always carry snow chains in case they are needed and give yourself more stopping distance between vehicles when driving on snow or ice.”
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