CHP Begins Thanksgiving Holiday Crackdown

CALIFORNIA — As millions of motorists head out for the Thanksgiving holiday, the California Highway Patrol has prepared for one of the busiest travel weekends in America with a crackdown.

Beginning at 6:01 p.m. Wednesday, the CHP will begin its Maximum Enforcement Period, which means all available CHP officers will be deployed looking for unsafe driving practices, including impaired or distracted driving, unsafe speed, and vehicle occupants who fail to buckle up. The crackdown will continue through 11:59 Sunday.

Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the deadlier holidays on California roadways. According to CHP data, 59 people were killed in collisions in California during the 2018 Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Among the 42 vehicle occupants killed in collisions within CHP jurisdiction, 43 percent of those, or 18 people, were not wearing a seat belt.

During last Thanksgiving’s CHP crackdown, officers made 931 arrests for driving under the influence.

“Holiday travel can be stressful. By putting some simple safety measures in place, motorists can help keep themselves and others safe on the road this weekend,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “Most important, before you head out, ensure everyone inside the vehicle has their seat belt on, and if there are children along for the ride, check that they are secure in the back seat in the appropriate child safety seat.”