Just in time for holiday good deeds and New Year’s resolutions, the California Highway Patrol has a few suggestions: never drink and drive, watch your speed and always buckle up before heading out.
In an effort to keep California’s roads safe this holiday season, the CHP will shift into a maximum enforcement mode from 6 p.m. Christmas eve through midnight Sunday, Dec. 27 and from 6 p.m. New Year’s eve through midnight Sunday, Jan. 3.
“The holidays are about family, friends and celebration,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Unfortunately it’s also a time of year when we see too many alcohol-related fatalities.”
More than 4,000 collisions occurred in California during last year’s Christmas enforcement period. During that same time period, 37 people died on California’s roadways and among those killed, 23 lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes.
Along with the increased enforcement effort, the CHP is asking motorists to help keep the state’s roadways safe by calling 911 to report a suspected drunk driver. Callers should be prepared to provide dispatchers a description of the vehicle, its location and direction of travel.