SACRAMENTO,
Calif. – As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, the California Highway Patrol
(CHP) continues to encourage essential travel only and physical distancing for
all Californians. However, those who do
plan to travel should contact the county or state of their destination for
information on any local restrictions or directions that may exist for those
outside the area. With the potential of
holiday travel, the CHP will conduct its annual Memorial Day Maximum
Enforcement Period (MEP).
“No matter
what else changes in our world, the people of California can always count on
the CHP to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security,” CHP
Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “We
will continue to enforce the traffic laws, help motorists who are in trouble,
and educate people about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving.”
The focus
of the Memorial Day MEP, which runs from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 22, to 11:59
p.m. on Monday, May 25, is seat belt usage.
During the 2019 Memorial Day MEP, 34 people died in traffic collisions
in California. Of the 21 vehicle
occupants killed in CHP jurisdiction, 10 were not wearing seat belts. The 2019 MEP also recorded 1,099 arrests by
CHP officers for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
During the
state’s stay-at-home order, California roads have seen much less traffic, but
many more instances of excessive speeding.
“The rules still apply, no matter how little traffic there may be,”
Commissioner Stanley cautioned. “Obey
the speed limit, fasten your seat belt, drive sober, and put down your phone.”
Motorists
are also reminded to protect child passengers by using age-appropriate child
safety seats, whether a safety seat or booster seat. The law requires that children under age
eight ride in the back seat and that children under age two be secured in a
rear-facing child passenger safety seat.
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