TRAFFIC CRACKDOWN SET SIX DRUNK-DRIVING CHECKPOINTS PLANNED.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Sheriff's deputies will set up drunk-driving checkpoints and crack down on motorists not wearing seat belts in two traffic safety campaigns beginning this month.

The city will also host a traffic safety town hall meeting Thursday to discuss issues such as how speed limits are set, law enforcement and traffic safety around schools.

``There will be plenty of time for everybody to ask questions and get answers,'' said Vice Mayor Henry Hearns, chairman of the public safety committee.

The campaigns come as Antelope Valley traffic deaths are up nearly 40 percent, though the increase was far less dramatic inside Lancaster city limits.

In the Antelope Valley overall from January through mid-October, law enforcement records show, 71 people died in traffic crashes or were hit by vehicles, up from 51 in the same period last year.

In Lancaster, nine people died in that period, up from eight a year earlier.

The town hall meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Stanley Kleiner Building at Lancaster City Park, 43011 10th Street W.

Lancaster Public Works Director Randy Williams and traffic management expert Jim Sherman will talk about how speed limits are set and plans for future traffic signals.

Representing law enforcement agencies will be Capt. Carl Deeley, commander of the Lancaster sheriff's station; sheriff's Lt. Steve Fredericks; Deputy Mark Dunkel; and Capt. Doug Rich, commander of the California Highway Patrol's Lancaster station.

The school traffic safety panel will include Scott Smith, Lancaster School District director of public safety; and Lancaster school Deputy John Rush. Topics expected to be discussed include crossing guards, signage around schools and safe student travel to and from school.

The seat belt and drunk-driving campaigns are being funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Using a $21,576 grant, the Lancaster sheriff's station will set up four drunk-driving checkpoints from Dec. 19 through Jan. 4 and two checkpoints from June 25 to July 10. The effort is called ``You Drive and Drink, You Lose.''

``This is one of the most incredibly stupid crimes people commit,'' Deeley said. ``You drink, you call a friend or call a cab.''

Using a separate $24,948 grant, as many as five deputies a day between Nov. 17 and Nov. 30 will be out looking for motorists not using seat belts or child seats. The grant will also fund TV and radio ads promoting seat belt and child seat use.

Of the 1,268 unbelted vehicle occupants who lost their lives last year in California traffic crashes, at least 45 percent of them could have survived had they worn their seat belts, Deeley said.

Jim Skeen, [phone]

james.skeen(at)dailynews.com