CHP Gears Up For Mean Season

SAN JOSE, CA -- Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally one of the busiest travel times in
America and can be one of the deadliest on the roadways.

With a record holiday travel week expected, the California Highway Patrol wants to help motorists avoid tragedies. The CHP will have all available officers on patrol during this maximum enforcement period.

It begins at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. During this time, CHP officers will educate motorists and enforce traffic safety laws throughout the state to ensure everyone has a safe holiday.

Officers will be actively looking for unsafe driving practices, including seatbelt violations, high speed, distracted driving and signs of driving impairment.

Motorists experienced a 61 percent increase in fatalities from 31 to 50 people killed between 2016 and 2017 as a result of collisions within the CHP’s jurisdiction

Choosing to not wearing a seat belt can be a fatal decision in a collision. According to the CHP’s 2017 Thanksgiving data during this enforcement period, among the 46 people killed in collisions, 59 percent of those were not wearing a seat belt.

Research continues to show that wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest things people can do to stay safe when traveling in a vehicle.

“Whatever your destination this Thanksgiving, remember to buckle up and avoid distractions
while driving and give yourself plenty of time for your trip, so you and your passengers can
arrive safely,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Remembering to wear your seat belt
every day is a good practice, but take extra care over the long holiday to ensure you are able to
enjoy the festivities with friends and family.”

--Image via Shutterstock