As motorists prepare for the final holiday weekend of summer, the California Highway Patrol is joining with law enforcement agencies throughout the country and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in an ongoing nationwide drunk driving crackdown. The two-week-long “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, which began Aug. 16, coincides with the CHP’s annual Labor Day Maximum Enforcement Period.
During the CHP’s holiday enforcement effort, which begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 and continues until 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, all available CHP officers will be on patrol throughout the state to help ensure everyone has a safe journey. An additional emphasis will be placed on removing impaired drivers from the roadway before they destroy their life or the lives of their fellow motorists.
“Through our education and enforcement efforts over the holiday, we are hoping to save lives and reduce the number of people injured and killed on California’s roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Do not let your guard down just because summer is coming to an end; drive defensively and always wear your seat belt.”
During last year’s Labor Day Maximum Enforcement Period, 35 people were killed in collisions on California’s roadways. Within CHP jurisdiction nearly half of the 16 vehicle occupants killed were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. CHP officers throughout the state made more than 1,300 arrests for driving under the influence, which represents an 11 percent decrease from the same period the previous year.
The public is encouraged to be a part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign by dialing 9-1-1 to report suspected drunk drivers.
