EL CAJON, Calif. (FOX5/KUSI) — As millions of Californians prepare to travel for Memorial Day weekend, the California Highway Patrol is ramping up enforcement efforts statewide and in the San Diego area, with a focus on speeding, impaired driving and seat belt safety.
The agency’s Holiday Enforcement Period begins Friday evening and runs through Monday night, as officers work to crack down on dangerous driving behaviors during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
CHP officials say Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, bringing heavier traffic volumes and an increased risk for serious and deadly crashes across California roadways.
During the enforcement effort, officers will target speeders, reckless drivers, DUI offenders and motorists who fail to wear seat belts.
According to preliminary statewide data, more than 13,000 crashes in 2024 and 2025 involved at least one unrestrained occupant, resulting in more than 1,300 deaths.
CHP says while seat belt use remains high overall, too many fatal crashes still involve people who were not buckled up.
Last year, during the Memorial Day enforcement period alone, CHP officers investigated 22 deadly crashes statewide.
Of the 21 people killed inside vehicles during that period, nine were not wearing seat belts, according to CHP data.
Officers also made more than 1,100 DUI arrests during last year’s Memorial Day weekend enforcement campaign.
CHP officials are urging drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, never drive impaired and always wear a seat belt before heading out for the holiday weekend.
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