FRESNO - The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office is asking the residents of Fresno County to take a stand against Impaired Driving during National Impaired Driving Prevention month. Every day, millions of people use America’s roadways to drive to and from work, school, and social events. Every day, millions of Americans depend on these roadways being safe so they may arrive at their destination. Every day, lives are needlessly lost and irreparably altered by crashes involving drugs or alcohol.

Tragically, in 2017, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-related crashes in the United States, accounting for 29 percent of all traffic fatalities. In Fresno County, 4,294 felony and misdemeanor DUI cases involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both were filed by the District Attorney’s Office last year.

It doesn't matter what substance is used – or whether you are high, drunk, or stoned – driving while impaired is illegal, and will have devastating consequences.

During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we all must continue to raise public awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. By educating our communities on the importance of driving sober, we can help avoid the loss of life, debilitating injuries, and unbearable heartache.

Every alcohol-related traffic death is 100 percent preventable, and every American has the ability to make responsible decisions and take measures to prevent impaired driving.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office receives a yearly grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety that funds a highly trained, specialized prosecutor, to combat repeat DUI offenders.