Patrols net 7 suspected of driving impaired

Extra efforts helped Santa Clarita Valley law enforcement officials arrest seven motorists on charges they drove under the influence, from the early morning hours July 4 to Thursday morning.

The seven arrests that took place in the 24-hour period were made by both California Highway Patrol officers and Sheriff’s Department deputies.

One of the notable arrests, which was mentioned on the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Facebook page, included a man who was accused of driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.25, which is considered about three times the level needed to be considered legally intoxicated, 0.08. The arrest was made by the station’s Summer Crime Enforcement Team deputies at around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Sheriff’s Department’s booking log.

CHP officers conducted what’s known as a “maximum enforcement period” around the holiday: The effort started at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, and wrapped up Wednesday, July 4, at midnight.

CHP officials shared some stats they hoped would be sobering for anyone who was thinking about drinking and driving: During last year’s fourday Fourth of July weekend celebration, 47 people were killed in collisions on California roads.

Within the CHP’s statewide jurisdiction, more than half the vehicle occupants who died were not wearing seat belts. Officers also made 1,244 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during last year’s Independence Day maximum enforcement period.