SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Memorial Day is the
traditional start to the summer travel season, and this weekend California’s
roadways will likely be bustling with activity.
To help ensure the safety of motorists throughout the holiday, the
California Highway Patrol (CHP) will conduct a Maximum Enforcement Period
(MEP).
The
Memorial Day MEP will run from 6 p.m. Friday, May 28, to 11:59 p.m. Monday, May
31, and focus on properly using seat belts.
During the MEP, all available CHP officers will be out enforcing traffic
safety laws throughout the state.
Officers will be watching carefully for distracted drivers and those who
are impaired by drugs or alcohol.
“Seat
belts save lives every day, yet some people still don’t buckle up,” said CHP
Commissioner Amanda Ray. “Start the holiday
weekend off right by making sure you and your passengers are properly
restrained.”
Approximately
78 percent of people killed in a crash within CHP jurisdiction during the 2020
Memorial Day MEP were not wearing a seat belt.
Statewide, at least 31 people died in a crash during the holiday
weekend. In addition, CHP officers made 854
arrests for impaired driving during the 78-hour traffic safety campaign.
Motorists
are also reminded to protect child passengers through the proper use of car
seats, booster seats, and seat belts.
The law requires that, whenever possible, children under 8 ride in the
back seat and that a child under 2 is always secured in a rear-facing car seat.
To
reinforce the importance of seat belt usage, the CHP also is participating in
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ongoing “Click It or
Ticket” campaign, which runs May 17 - June 6.
The
mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and
Security.
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