The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is serving up a warning about a year-long enhanced enforcement effort to reduce the number of collisions related to driving under the influence (DUI) along the U.S. 101 corridor in Mendocino and Humboldt Counties.

”Our goal is to save lives by ensuring California’s roadways are a safe place for all motorists,” said Chief Chris Jenkins, commander of CHP’s Northern Division. “Removing impaired drivers from the road is a giant step in that direction.”

Three local CHP area offices, Ukiah, Garberville, and Humboldt, will be participating in the DUI corridor project and they will be receiving supplemental enforcement assistance from personnel in the CHP’s Northern Division.

”Hopefully with this anti-DUI campaign we can raise awareness and prevent collisions or additional loss of life related to impaired driving,” added Chief Jenkins.

The baseline comparison year is 2008 and showed 23 injuries and two fatalities resulting from DUI-involved collisions on U.S. 101 within Mendocino and Humboldt Counties.

The grant kicks off April 1 and ends March 31, 2011. The officers will enforce all traffic laws with a special emphasis on the apprehension of drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. This includes people speeding and making unsafe passes on turns. Officers will also strictly enforce the use of seat belts and child passenger restraints.

Funding for the Northern Division “Arrive Alive on U.S.-101” DUI Corridor Grant project is provided by a grant awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.