BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — As Labor Day weekend came to a close, safety officials urged drivers returning home to stay alert, avoid impairment and make sure their vehicles were prepared for the trip.
Despite higher gas prices, Anlleyn Venegas with AAA said many travelers were expected to drive to their destinations.
“We know that most people are going to be driving to their destinations,” Venegas said. “Even with higher gas prices it’s still more affordable to drive than to fly.”
“You’re going to see a lot of CHP out there on our freeways, on our highways, on our surface streets,” CHP Bakersfield Public Information Officer Jorge Toro said. “The goal is to keep our roadways safe.”
Toro said motorists could still be stopped for violations other than impaired driving.
“That doesn’t mean you’re not going to get stopped for speeding or if you’re not wearing your seatbelt, if you’re on your cell phone,” Toro said. “We’re still looking out for those things as well.”
During last year’s Labor Day Holiday Enforcement Period, CHP officers made more than 1,200 impaired-driving arrests statewide. Nearly 500 DUI-related crashes occurred during the same 78-hour reporting period, resulting in more than 270 injuries and eight deaths, according to CHP.
The enforcement period coincided with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. NHTSA says one person is killed in a drunk-driving crash about every 44 minutes, totaling nearly 12,000 lives lost each year.
Toro said drivers should remember impairment is not limited to alcohol.
“Many people think about just alcohol, but it’s more than that,” Toro said. “It’s also cannabis, it’s illicit drugs, and even some over-the-counter medications.”
He said drivers need to be ready for sudden changes in traffic conditions.
“Traffic is very fluid,” Toro said. “It changes in a second and you need to be ready to take evasive action and always be a defensive driver when you’re in that driver’s seat.”
Venegas also warned against driving while tired.
“Drowsy driving is as dangerous as driving under the influence,” Venegas said. “So we want to make sure that you’re well rested again. Want to make sure that you’re alert to avoid these crashes from happening.”
For drivers heading home, Toro recommended checking their vehicles before leaving.
“Make sure that you have some jumper cables,” Toro said. “Make sure your tires have the correct amount of PSI in them. Make sure your liquids are topped off and make sure your phone has plenty of battery.”