Friday marks the beginning of a summer DUI crackdown as law enforcement agencies across the county will be hosting DUI checkpoints and patrols.

The Los Angeles County Avoid the 100 DUI Task Force joins law enforcement agencies throughout the state for the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign starting Aug. 17 and ending Labor Day on Sept. 3. The annual summer campaign targets the spike in DUI's and alcohol-related car accidents during the summer months, according to an Avoid the 100 press release.

In 2010, 791 people died in California in alcohol-related accidents, when the driver had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit, according to California Office of Traffic Safety. The highest percentage of alcohol-related car accidents involved motorists 21 to 24 years of age, according to statistics. Local law enforcement agencies, as well as the California Highway Patrol, will be "aggressively looking" for impaired drivers during the two-week period.

Those convicted of a DUI could face jail time, risk the loss of their drivers license, or be required to use ignition interlocks. DUI convictions also drive up insurance rates and incur legal fees. "Obviously we want to remind everyone that it is illegal to drive impaired, and we hope the campaign will remind people that if they plan on drinking, to never get behind the wheel," said Avoid Representative and Glendora Lieutenant Rob Lamborghini in a press statement. "But if someone does choose to drive impaired, we will arrest them," he said.

Summer DUI Checkpoint and Patrol Schedule

Friday, Aug. 17

DUI Checkpoint – Glendale, Gardena, Pasadena, CHP, South L.A., North Hollywood (2), Hollywood DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 (West) Multi-Agency (El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo and Torrance)