The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is expected to launch the Maximum Enforcement Period, (MEP) Friday evening in efforts to keep all those traveling for Memorial Day safe, officials said.

Starting on Friday at 6 p.m. lasting through Monday at 11:59 p.m. all available CHP officers are expected to be on the roadways, according to CHP officials.

“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 is seat belt usage and to take all impaired drivers off the roadways, according to CHP officials.

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, according to officials.

During the state’s “Safer 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,” Stanley said. “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 8 ride in the back seat and that children under age 2 be secured in a rear-facing child passenger safety seat.

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