The holiday weekend has begun and so has the maximum enforcement period by the California Highway Patrol, which means more cops are out on the road.

Maximum enforcement started at 6 p.m. on Friday and will last until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 5th.

CHP officials said obeying speed limits, buckling up, and not driving impaired or distracted will be more important than ever.

Traffic has been lighter on highways the past few months which they said has resulted in an increase in citations for excessive speed.

Last year during this time 36 people died in crashes statewide and more 1,300 were arrested for driving under the influence.