The California Highway Patrol will be targeting unsafe drivers on Highway 12 during a special enforcement effort this weekend.
Officials announced that the CHP's Valley Division will deploy additional officers to patrol the route in a zero tolerance enforcement operation scheduled to begin Friday and continue through Sunday. The goal is to reduce the number of fatal injury traffic collisions attributed to aggressive driving, unsafe speed, unsafe passing and improper turning movements, along with other violations on the highway, according to a CHP news release.
Officials cited statistical data from the CHP's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System showing that from 2009 to 2011, the most recent year for which final figures are available, there were 105 collisions, resulting in the deaths of six people and injury to 90 others.
To assist in the traffic safety effort, the Valley Division also has received a federally funded grant for anti-speed campaigns between now and Sept. 30. Radar trailers will be used along with the air operations, and efforts will be made to educate motorists through public awareness campaigns.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines aggressive driving as occurring "when individuals commit a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property."
According to the CHP, aggressive drivers often commit multiple moving violations in addition to speeding, such as following too close, passing without sufficient clearance, improper lane change, driving on the wrong side of the road, improper turning movements, and driving in violation of cell phone and texting laws.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.