Thanksgiving weekend, traditionally one of the busiest travel times in America, can also be one of the deadliest on the roadways. To help motorists avoid tragedies, the California Highway Patrol will have all available officers on patrol during a Maximum Enforcement Period from Wednesday through Sunday.

The MEP begins at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26. During the MEP, CHP officers will educate motorists and enforce traffic safety laws throughout the state to ensure everyone has a safe holiday.

“We will have all available units on the road during that timeframe,” said Officer Eric Priessman, spokesperson for the Newhall CHP Station. “Our goal is to make sure everyone gets to their destination safely.”

Priessman noted the best travel tip every year, is to “make sure you allow more than enough time than is needed to make sure you arrive on time.”

“When there are more cars on the road, people can get frustrated,” said Priessman. “Allowing more time will make your commute much less stressful.”

California Highway Patrol officials also warned about the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt during one of the biggest travel weekends of the year.

According to the CHP’s 2016 Thanksgiving MEP data, among the 27 people killed in collisions within CHP jurisdiction, 14 were not wearing a seatbelt. Research shows that wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest things people can do to stay safe when traveling in a vehicle.

“Whether you are driving across the street or across the country for your Thanksgiving gathering, it is imperative to wear your seat belt,” CHP Acting Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Wearing a seat belt is essential every day of the year, but we do not want to have festivities ruined as a result of people not buckling up for their trip.”

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