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Pittsburgh Police stepping up DUI enforcement to discourage drinking and driving

PITTSBURGH — Close to 42 million Americans will be traveling for the Independence Day weekend. And to keep you safe, Pittsburgh Police are stepping up DUI enforcement.

The crackdown runs through July 5.

Officials hope this long enforcement period will discourage people from drinking and driving on the days leading up the Fourth of July.

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“Have a designated driver, use mass transit, whatever you need to keep you from going behind the wheel of a car after you’ve been drinking,” Pittsburgh Police Sgt. Terry Donnelly said.

The program is funded through a state grant.

Last year, there were 13 alcohol-related car crashes on Independence Day in Allegheny County.

“The South Hills DUI Task Force in conjunction with the West Mifflin Police Department will be conducting a DUI Sobriety Checkpoint in the Borough of West Mifflin this upcoming Fourth of July weekend,” Baldwin Borough Police Lt. M. Kearns said.

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The South Hills DUI Task Force is comprised of officers from Baldwin Borough, Brentwood, Rankin, Homestead, West Homestead, Munhall, Elizabeth, Jefferson Hills, Pleasant Hills, South Park, West Mifflin, Whitehall and Elizabeth.

The West Hills DUI Task Force will also be conducting enforcement operations this weekend, as well.

“These operations will be in the form of Sobriety Checkpoints and/or roving DUI patrols,” Moon Township Police Sgt. Douglas Ogden said in a release.

Officers from Avalon Borough, Bellevue Borough, Carnegie Borough, Coraopolis Borough, Crescent Township, Edgeworth Borough, Findlay Township, Kennedy Township, Leetsdale Borough, Moon Township, North Fayette Township, Ohio Township, Robinson Township, Sewickley Borough and Stowe Township will be taking part in these operations.