PATROLS PROMOTE SOBRIETY.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

Sheriff's deputies are stepping up anti-drunk driving efforts this weekend, increasing the number of roving DUI teams, sobriety checkpoints, and saturation patrols in a campaign called ``Operation Lifesaver.''

Patrols will increase in both number and visibility over the Christmas and New Year's weekends in an effort to deter motorists from driving drunk, putting themselves or others at risk of serious injury or death.

``The increase in parties and such that occur around the holidays raises the number of people driving under the influence,'' said traffic investigator Mark Johnston. ``We hope that by increasing the visibility of our patrols, we'll curb the possibility of people getting behind the wheel drunk.''

Sobriety checkpoints will be set up throughout Lancaster and its unincorporated areas during the periods when most DUI arrests are made, officials said. The first was held Thursday night.

The sheriff's station also will send out more patrols targeting speeders, aggressive drivers and other motorists driving in an unsafe manner, officials said.

The station has begun a campaign of public service announcements on radio, television and in newspapers. The announcements caution motorists against driving when they've had too much to drink, and advise others to be wary for intoxicated drivers or for speeders and weather that could lead to crashes.

``We do a full campaign of `Don't Drink and Drive' ads and awareness things,'' said Johnston. ``We want people to have a good time, but be safe.''

Sheriff's deputies in Palmdale and California Highway Patrol officers in the Antelope Valley plan increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints starting early Jan. 1. Regular patrols will resume the following day.