AVOID DISASTER, BUCKLE UP!
Sacramento,
California ____ Millions of Californians will travel the road this Thanksgiving
holiday weekend to visit with family and friends. While this time of year is
usually full of joy, it can be one of the deadliest on our roadways. To help
motorists avoid tragedies, the California
Highway Patrol (CHP) will have all available officers on patrol
during the Thanksgiving Maximum
Enforcement Period (MEP).
Although
the number of people killed in traffic collisions during last year’s
Thanksgiving weekend was down from 2014, tragically 35 people died in
collisions in California. Of the 17 vehicle occupants killed within CHP
jurisdiction, 41 percent of them were not wearing seat belts.
“Buckling
up is simple and the most important safety measure you can take to protect
yourself in a collision,” California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow
said.
Nationwide,
more than half the drivers and passengers killed in collisions are not wearing
seat belts. The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration estimates that seat belts saved the lives of 12,802
passenger vehicle occupants in 2014.
The
MEP begins at 6:01 P.M. Wednesday November 23rd, and continues through 11:59 P.M.,
Sunday November 27th. During the Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP),
CHP officers will educate motorists and enforce traffic safety laws throughout
the state to ensure everyone has a safe holiday.
The
California Highway Patrol reminds motorists to travel at a speed that is safe
for conditions, avoid driving distracted, and designate a non-drinking driver
for the safety of everyone on the road. Last year during the Thanksgiving
holiday, the California Highway Patrol made more than 1,000 arrests for DUI.
The public is encouraged to report unsafe or impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1.