Irvine granted $88,300 to fight DUIs

Irvine police have another $88,300 with which to help educate the public about drunk driving and catch those under the influence, thanks to a grant from the California Office of Traffic and Safety.

The department announced Tuesday that it was awarded the money to bolster DUI enforcement and education, including funding checkpoints throughout the city and officers with special training to identify impaired drivers.

Drivers under the influence were responsible for 791 deaths and more than 24,000 injuries in California in 2010, according to an Irvine Police Department release citing state numbers.

“The preventable tragedy of a DUI death or injury touches the lives of everyone in the community,” Chief David Maggard said a prepared statement. “The Irvine Police Department is dedicated to keeping our streets safe through both enforcement and education.”

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck