Tehama County announced its participation in the state-wide anti-DUI campaign to take place between now and September 6.

The county is aiming to reduce traffic fatalities during a normally dangerous month on the road. Officials say the county has already reduced fatalities nearly 30 percent in three years through the use of checkpoints, a task force, roving saturation patrols and probation sweeps. The county is calling this particular event the "Avoid the Five" campaign, aiming enforcement at a 5-day period around the Labor Day holiday.

Any driver caught breaking the state's DUI rules during this sweep may face mandatory use of an ignition interlock machine. The devices have been gaining popularity in the state, with five counties now mandating their use for first time offenders as part of a trial program; Tehama is not one of those counties, but judges can still mandate the installation of a device on a case-by-case basis.

In addition to traffic patrols and probation sweeps, the county is using a public awareness campaign under the Avoid the Five name. For more information, visitors are invited to view the state's website on the topic: www.californiaavoid.org.