SACRAMENTO,
Calif. – Independence Day is on a Monday this year, resulting in a three-day
weekend for many and a likely increase in vehicles traveling California’s roadways. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is reminding
motorists that driving too fast is not only illegal, but the leading cause of
traffic fatalities.
To
help slow down motorists and increase safe travel, the CHP will deploy extra
patrol officers over the holiday weekend as part of a Maximum Enforcement
Period (MEP). Beginning at 6:01 p.m. on
Friday, July 1, through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 4, the CHP will observe the MEP
with a special focus on speed enforcement.
In addition to speeding violations, officers will be on the lookout for
distracted and aggressive drivers, and motorists suspected of driving under the
influence of drugs or alcohol.
“Give
yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Speeding not only endangers your life, but the
lives of everyone on the roadway,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “Fill the holiday weekend with celebration
and fun activities, not reckless choices that lead to tragedy.”
There
were 43 people killed in crashes on California’s roadways during the 2021 Independence
Day MEP, and more than one-third of the vehicle occupants who died within CHP
jurisdiction were not wearing a seat belt.
In addition, the CHP made 997 arrests for driving under the influence of
alcohol and/or drugs during the 78-hour holiday enforcement effort.
Last
year’s stepped-up efforts to enforce speed limits during the Independence Day
weekend, July 2-5, resulted in CHP officers issuing nearly 10,000 citations
statewide.
“Speed
is the number one factor in roadway crashes in California, causing one-third of
the traffic-related deaths,” added Commissioner Ray.
A
report
issued in May 2022 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows the
number of people killed in speed-related crashes is on the rise nationwide. According to the NHTSA data, 11,780 deaths in
the U.S. were attributed to speeding last year, a 5 percent increase over 2020.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety,
Service, and Security.
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