CHP Reminds Travelers to Buckle Up; All Available Officers on the Road for Holiday Weekend

As with most major holidays, the Fourth of July weekend marks the implementation of a Maximum Enforcement Period for the California Highway Patrol. All available CHP officers will be on the road, as of Friday, July 2 at 6pm and through midnight on Monday the 5th. The CHP points out that during last year’s Fourth of July weekend, 24 people were killed on state highways and, of those, 80 percent were not wearing a seatbelt; during that same MEP, over 1,200 arrests were issued to those driving under the influence. Given these statistics, CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow reminds, “The CHP wants your holiday memories to be happy ones. Please be sure to take a few simple precautions to ensure that your family and friends have a safe Fourth of July.” Among those precautions, all are reminded to refrain from driving if drinking; always wear a seat belt, even if on short trips; watch your speed on the road, and allow extra time to accommodate the holiday traffic.