DUI arrests rise during holiday

GLENDALE — Police arrested six motorists in connection on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the first half of Memorial Day weekend.

One motorist arrested Friday was under the influence of cocaine, Glendale Police Sgt. Dennis Smith said.

"[Drug Recognition Enforcement] officers in training worked fast in identifying the driver," he said. "They were able to spot him right way."

The weekend operations were aimed at getting intoxicated drivers off the streets and educating motorists about drunk driving, police said.

Police stopped 52 vehicles during Friday's "Avoid the 100" saturation patrol, which yielded five DUI arrests, Smith said. Local police agencies join forces during the "Avoid the 100" campaign to arrest drunk drivers.

Friday's operation combined Glendale, San Marino and South Pasadena police officers, who roamed the city looking for drunk drivers.

Police on Friday administered 16 field sobriety tests, impounded two vehicles, arrested a motorist on suspicion of driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license and cited seven people, Smith said.

The next night, police conducted a sobriety checkpoint from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at West Glenoaks Boulevard and Rosedale Avenue, he said.

Saturday's checkpoint generated one DUI arrest, and eight motorists had to perform field sobriety tests, Smith said.

More than 700 vehicles drove through the checkpoint, but only 480 were screened, and four were towed, he said.

Six motorists were arrested on suspicion of driving without a valid driver's license, and two were arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license, Smith said. Another 15 people were cited and two were arrested on outstanding warrants, he said.

The California Highway Patrol was also out in force during the weekend.

As of Sunday morning, officers arrested 1,029 motorists on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol statewide, according to CHP. That number increased from 941 in 2009.

In Los Angeles County, 208 motorists were arrested on suspicion of DUI during a 36-hour period, according to CHP, jumping from 160 last year.