As friends and family plan vacations during the final days of summer, the Goleta Police Department is reminding everyone to stay safe by always choosing a sober way to go.

No matter how you celebrate the end of summer and Labor Day weekend, be sure to do so responsibly. Take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family by buckling up, ditching the distractions, following the speed limit, and never driving impaired.

To help keep the community safe during the busy late summer and Labor Day weekend travel season, the Goleta Police Department will have additional officers on patrol Wednesday, Aug. 18 through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6, looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The increased efforts to address impaired driving are part of a national enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

In addition to roving patrols, the Goleta Police Department will hold a DUI checkpoint 6 p.m. Friday Aug. 27, to 2 a.m. Saturday Aug. 28, in an undisclosed location within the city limits.

“Driving impaired is risky and puts yourself and others around you in serious danger,” said Sgt. Noel Rivas. “If you are taking a road trip over the next few weeks, make good choices, and drive like your closest friends and family are in the cars around you.”

Driving while impaired is not just from alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana may also impair. If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive. If you see someone driving impaired, call 9-1-1.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The city of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.