San Francisco Recognized For Cracking Down On Drunk Drivers
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) ---- San Francisco has been named the best jurisdiction in the state by the California Office of Traffic Safety when it comes to cracking down on drunk drivers. The speedy arrest in a recent hit-and-run case is an example of why San Francisco received that honor.
Several years ago San Francisco implemented Avoid the 8, a campaign that reached out to the public through the media to crackdown on drunk driving.
Police Chief Greg Suhr said that alliance was key when nine-year-old Ryan White was struck by a hit-and-run motorist on August 4th while leaving a Giants game with his family.
KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:
"Coupled with our own law enforcement alerts and the press putting it out right away, the suspect was taken into custody in another county in short order," he said.
The Office of Traffic Safety recently named San Francisco's Avoid campaign the best in the state. Captain Al Casciato who started San Francisco's Program said it's led to a big increase in drunk driving arrests and a reduction in accidents.
Ryan White was seriously injured but is expected to recover. Police arrested Andrew Alan Vargas of Hayward in that case, who was driving with his blood alcohol level way above the legal limit.
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