LA County Drivers: CHP Out In Force Through Thanksgiving Weekend

LOS ANGELES, CA — Drive safe and sober in Los Angeles County during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend or face the consequences, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP’s annual Thanksgiving "maximum enforcement period" was slated to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday and would run through Sunday night over the holiday weekend. During this period, all available officers will deploy to catch drunk or drug-impaired drivers, speeders and other traffic violators.

CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray spoke on the importance of keeping drivers safe over the family-oriented holiday weekend.

"As with every holiday, the CHP will work to keep motorists safe as they travel to gatherings with friends and family," Ray said. "Our officers will be on patrol to take enforcement action as necessary and to provide assistance to motorists who are stranded or in need of help on the side of the road."

"Enjoy your Thanksgiving festivities, but please celebrate responsibly, wear your seat belt and always designate a sober, non-drinking driver," she said.

Officers from across the county will be watching. Drivers should take care heading across all freeways.

During last year's Thanksgiving maximum enforcement campaign, the CHP arrested 1,033 people statewide on suspicion of driving under the influence, compared to 868 arrests during the previous Thanksgiving holiday period — a 19% increase.

A total of 42 people died in collisions and other incidents on roads and highways under the CHP's jurisdiction over Thanksgiving weekend 2021. The fatalities included 16 pedestrians and one bicyclist, the agency said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, half of the vehicle passengers killed in collisions nationwide during the Thanksgiving holiday period in 2020 — the latest year for which data was available — were not wearing seatbelts.