Thanksgiving weekend is not only one of the busiest travel times of the year but can also be the deadliest on the roadways.
To reduce fatalities and keep the roads safe, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will have all available officers on patrol during a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP).
The MEP begins Wednesday, November 21 at 6:01 p.m. through Sunday, November 25 at 11:59 p.m.
"During the MEP, CHP officers will educate motorists and enforce traffic safety laws throughout the state to ensure everyone has a safe holiday," said CHP.
Officers will be looking for unsafe driving practices, for example:
- Seat belt violations
- Speed
- Distracted driving
- Signs of driving impairment
“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.
In 2017, CHP saw a 61 percent increase in fatalities during the same time period in 2016, from 31 to 50 people killed as a result of collisions in their jurisdiction.
According to the CHP’s 2017 Thanksgiving MEP data, among the 46 people killed in collisions within CHP jurisdiction, 59 percent of those, or 27 people, were not wearing a seat belt.
