Culver City Observer -

As families and friends prepare to celebrate the end of summer and the upcoming Labor Day, the Culver City Police Department is reminding everyone to stay safe by choosing a sober way to travel on the roads.

To help keep the community safe during the summer travel season, Culver City police will have additional officers on patrol from Aug. 18 through Labor Day, Sept. 6, looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

"Driving impaired is very risky and puts you and others around you in serious danger," said Culver City Police Chief Manuel Cid. "If you are taking a road trip over the next few weeks, please make good choices and drive as if your closest friends and family were in the cars driving next to you."

"Take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family by buckling up, ditching the distractions, following the speed limit, and never driving impaired," Cid added.

Police officials indicated that prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana may also impair driving. "If you plan on drinking, or taking medications that have a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive," police added.

According to state authorities, 45 people were killed in crashes throughout California during the 2019 Labor Day holiday period, and the California Highway Patrol made more than 1,000 arrests for driving under the influence during the 78-hour Labor Day weekend enforcement period alone.

The efforts to address impaired driving are part of the national enforcement campaign, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over." This program is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.