Valley, Area CHP Officers Gear Up for DUI, Seatbelt Crackdown Over Memorial Weekend

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA- Officers from the Los Angeles County-area California Highway Patrol station will join thousands of others from across the state this weekend as they crack down on DUI and traffic offenders.

Beginning Friday at 6:01 p.m., the CHP will enter into its "maximum enforcement period," or MEP. The period lasts through Monday at 11:59 p.m.

Agency officials say they'll be looking out for drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They'll also be focusing on seat-belt usage and be on the lookout for distracted drivers.

“Everyone inside the vehicle should be safely secured every trip, every time. Seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and death,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “It takes only seconds to buckle up, and those seconds could literally save your life. Furthermore, California law requires that all children under the age of eight to be properly secured in a child safety seat.”

During last year's MEP, 31 people died on California roadways, according to the CHP. Two-thirds of those deaths involved people who were not wearing seat belts.

What's more, more than 1,200 people were arrested by the CHP during that time frame on suspicion of DUI, agency officials said.

“So many of the deaths and injuries that occur on the highway are completely preventable,” said Farrow. “Our job is to make the motoring public aware of the risks and encourage them to be especially cautious this holiday weekend.”

Also see for the weekend:

• 13th Annual Newport Beach Wine Festival​
• Museum of San Fernando Valley Speaker Series, Pop-Up Art Mart
• Valley Greek Festival In Northridge
• Memorial Day Events Aboard Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach
• 6th Annual Memorial Day 5K Run/Walk for Warriors ​
• L.A. Sanitation's Bulky Item Drop-Off Event

-- Renee Schiavone contributed to this report