By Bee Staff
The California Highway Patrol today reminded motorists the Thanksgiving holiday is also a maximum enforcement period.
The CHP's holiday enforcement effort begins Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. and continues through 11:59 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 28, the CHP said in a news release.
All available officers will be patrolling the state's roadways.
"During the holiday season many people are in a hurry and eager to get to their destination," said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. "It's important to remember that safety should never take a back seat; be safe, pay attention to the road, never drink and drive and always buckle up."
Last year during CHP's Thanksgiving holiday enforcement effort, 37 people were killed in collisions statewide, a 12 percent increase from the previous year.
Among the 19 vehicle occupants who were killed in CHP jurisdiction, 26 percent were not wearing seatbelts.
The Thanksgiving enforcement coincides with the statewide "Click It or Ticket" seatbelt campaign which runs through Nov. 29 and includes more than 150 law enforcement agencies in California.
Last year during the Thanksgiving enforcement period CHP officers made 1,461 arrests for driving under the influence.
"Start the holidays off right; designate a non-drinking driver ahead of time and always wear your seatbelt," added Commissioner Farrow.
With the Christmas and New Year's holiday right around the corner, the CHP is planning for similar maximum enforcement efforts next month, Farrow said.









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