California Highway Patrol’s Thanksgiving enforcement set for Nov. 26-30
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The California Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to stay safe during their Thanksgiving travels this year by buckling up and following traffic laws.
The Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement Period is scheduled to begin at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26 and run through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, according to CHP.
During this period, CHP officers will be on patrol to make sure everyone is wearing a seat belt and driving safely by staying sober and obeying the speed limit.
Thirty-six people died during last year’s Thanksgiving enforcement. According to CHP, 14 people in vehicles within CHP jurisdiction were killed and six of them weren’t wearing a seat belt.
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CHP made over 1,100 arrests for alleged drunken driving during that enforcement, officials said.
CHP officers have issued an average of more than 26,000 citations each year in the past five years for seat belt violations. Seat belts can reduce the risk of deadly injuries for front-seat passengers by 45%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Thanksgiving is a time to be with family and friends, not to mourn a preventable tragedy,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said in a release. “Seat belts remain one of the most effective tools for saving lives on our roadways. Taking just two seconds to buckle up could be the decision that saves your life or the life of someone you love.”
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