Each year, thousands of people are fatally wounded by drivers who have had too much to drink or are too tired to drive. These numbers have increased over the past year and have alarmed representatives from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving campaign. In July, the nationally recognized organization released a statement about the growing number of drunken driving victims in America. Their plea for more responsible drivers has not fallen on deaf ears in San Bernardino County.

This New Year's Eve, Fontana and twenty-four police departments throughout the county will use their membership in the Avoid the 25 coalition to help reduce the overall numbers of drunk drivers within and near the city limits.

"The police have the authority to arrest and prosecute anyone driving with a blood-alcohol level as low as .04," says Cpl Brian Heaviside with the Fontana Police Department, Traffic Division.

A similar campaign was conducted in September with a total of eight (8) arrests for driving under the influence and 119 vehicles stopped at check points.

"The legal limit is .08, but if there is someone who is a lightweight, and is clearly not sober enough to drive, we have the right to prosecute. Anyone who does not do well with alcohol should arrange for a designated driver or omit drinking altogether during New Year celebrations," adds Heaviside.

The Avoid the 25 is a 25-member coalition of cities throughout the county who, thanks in part to a grant form the California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, are able to provide a Sobriety Checkpoint Program that will reduce the number of vehicular accidents.

While the exact locations of check points have yet to be determined, Heaviside maintains that there will be a saturation of patrols stationed in the city. There will be checkpoints in residential areas as well as along main thoroughfares.

When asked for advice about how other drivers can help protect themselves while on the road, Heaviside suggests using caution mixed with common sense.

"Be aware of others. Call 911 and report any suspicious drivers. The dispatch will ask you where you have seen the driver, the make of the vehicle, the license number, and any other relevant information that will help them locate the car in question."

For further information or to find out more about the Avoid the 25 please call the Fontana Police at (909) 350-7772 or visit www.avoidthe25.org. To find out more about Mothers Against Drunk Driving, please visit www.madd.org.