MTA TO GET DRINKING DRIVERS HOME SAFELY ON HOLIDAYS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will offer free bus rides over the holidays in an effort to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the roads, officials said Thursday.

City Councilman Bernard Parks, one of Los Angeles' representatives on the MTA, said free fares will be offered Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

``We urge people to take advantage of this and think ahead on how they will be celebrating,'' Parks said.

The announcement came as Los Angeles officials and Mothers Against Drunk Driving joined to caution people about the dangers and penalties of drunk driving.

``Driving drunk is neither an accident nor a mistake - it is a choice,'' City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo said at a news conference outside Parker Center. ``I urge every Angeleno to be sober, smart and safe and to think twice before drinking and driving.''

Delgadillo and MADD representative Lynnmaria Bazan estimated that more than 200 people died in Los Angeles last year in alcohol-related crashes.

``You are haunted by it,'' said Bazan, who was injured by a drunk driver. ``It affects you emotionally, physically and monetarily. We just want people to think before they drink and drive.''

Penalties for drunk driving have increased over the years. A first offense in California carries a fine of up to $1,800, a six-month suspended driver's license, two days in jail and up to five years' probation.

Delgadillo said those convicted of drunk driving with a child in the car can be charged with child endangerment, which carries an additional fine of $1,000 or a year in jail.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com