RIVERSIDE - At least 262 drivers have been arrested so far for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Riverside County during a coordinated holiday crackdown by 30 county law enforcement agencies, officials

said today.

The campaign, which aims to bring down the number of impaired drivers on the roads and reduce drunken driving-related traffic fatalities, began at 12 a.m. Dec. 18 and will continue through Jan. 3, 2010, according to Riverside

Police Department spokesperson Karen Haverkamp.

All 30 CHP, city and community traffic and law enforcement agencies in Riverside County have come together to educate the public under the banner, "Avoid the 30,'' she said, a reference to the number of agencies involved.

Checkpoint operations are being held throughout the county, including in Hemet, Indian Wells, Advertisement

[ Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary ] Menifee, Lake Elsinore, and La Quinta through the New Years weekend.

Last year, a similar campaign netted 524 drunken driving arrests in that time period.

Since this year's tally is still going, all agencies have yet to report their figures, she said.

The Riverside Police Department is hoping the campaign will help drivers make better choices.

"We encourage people to celebrate responsibly, use designated drivers, and to buckle up and stay alive,'' said Haverkamp. "If you choose to drink and drive this holiday season, expect to spend the night behind bars.''

The campaign is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org or www.avoidthe30.org.