The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is set to launch its Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP) on Wednesday in efforts to protect Santa Clarita drivers from speeding motorists this holiday season.

The HEP is scheduled from 6 p.m. Wednesday through 11:59 p.m. Thursday. During last year’s HEP, CHP officers arrested approximately 300 impaired drivers in just 30 hours and issued over 2,251 speeding tickets during their 30-hour holiday enforcement effort, with at least 17 people tragically losing their lives in crashes across the state in that same time period, according to the CHP.

“Every instance of speeding or reckless driving carries the potential for life-changing consequences,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Our officers see the destruction these choices can cause, and we urge every driver to slow down, stay alert, and make decisions that protect themselves and others. No destination is worth risking a life.” 

The CHP’s ultimate goal is to remove dangerous motorists from California’s roads to ensure the safety of others, leading them to develop a program with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

California residents should be aware of the Forwarded Actions for Speeding (FAST), a pilot program that expedites the process of removing drivers who exceed 100 mph from the roads, in which the CHP had a direct hand in creating through its partnership with the DMV.

The FAST program automatically sends the excessive speeders’ citations to the DMV’s Driver Safety Branch, which has the authority to suspend or revoke their license, according to CHP.

Since May, CHP’s deployment of 100 low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles has issued nearly 33,000 speed-related citations and may most likely issue more during the holidays if drivers don’t follow any CHP guidelines.

The CHP strongly urges California residents to drive safely with the upcoming winter weather, especially with the winter storm set to occur over Christmas.

California residents are highly encouraged to check the weather and road conditions before traveling, according to the CHP.

The CHP also urges California residents to make sure that their vehicles are properly equipped and adjust their driving accordingly.

For more information on the CHP’s H.E.P., California residents are encouraged to check out the CHP website for more information.

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