The California Highway Patrol will be cracking down on impaired drivers and seat belt violations statewide over the Thanksgiving weekend, which is among the busiest of the year for travel, officials said.
This year’s Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement Period begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 and will continue through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, according to the CHP.
CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee urged motorists to celebrate responsibly.
“Thanksgiving is a time to be with family and friends, not to mourn a preventable tragedy,” he said. “Seat belts remain one of the most effective tools for saving lives on our roadways. Taking just two seconds to buckle up could be the decision that saves your life or the life of someone you love.”
Thirty-six people died in crashed during last year’s Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement Period, officials said.
Last year’s 102-hour operation also resulted in more than 1,100 DUI arrests by CHP officers, according to a CHP statement.
“Whether you’re driving across town or across the state, the CHP urges all motorists and passengers to buckle up, drive sober and obey the speed limit,” the statement said. “Protect yourself and your loved ones by making seat belt use a non-negotiable part of every trip.”
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: CHP launches Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement Period statewide
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
