The holiday weekend brought the expected delays for travelers,
but roadways remained nearly accident-free and no alcohol-related
arrests were made throughout the county, according to the
California Highway Patrol.
Hollister – The holiday weekend brought the expected delays for travelers, but roadways remained nearly accident-free and no alcohol-related arrests were made throughout the county, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Traffic reached its peak on Thursday and Friday night, stretching from Leavesley Road on Highway 152 over Pacheco Pass to Interstate 5, forcing cars to a near crawl all the way to the valley, said CHP Officer Matt Ramirez.
A four-car accident on Dec. 24, near Highway 25 and Highway 156, caused minor injuries and blocked traffic for an hour while police and emergency vehicles cleared the area. Other than two other minor fender-benders, police say it was an uneventful holiday weekend on local roads.
“It was a nice, quiet weekend,” said Ramirez. “Nothing crazy to speak of.”
Close to nine million Californians are expected to travel by motor vehicle this holiday season, according to the AAA.
To deal with an increase in highway deaths, the California Highway Patrol has recently launched a multi-agency program to prevent drivers from drinking while behind the wheel and driving over the speed limit. Called “Operation Wish List”, the program puts close to 200 special speed enforcement units and roving DUI task forces on local streets and highways as well as changeable roadside electronic signs that flash messages reminding people not to drink and drive.
“We want people to slow down and be careful,” said Ramirez. “Our goal here is to reduce fatalities.”
Fatalities on state highways have increased over the past several years, including over the recent Thanksgiving weekend, with 4,225 people dying throughout 2003, according to the CHP. Last year, 61 people died in traffic-related accidents statewide during Christmas and another 44 during the New Year holiday, according to the CHP.
Other agencies participating in the effort include the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), Caltrans and the Department of Motor Vehicles. The ABC is checking liquor-selling establishments to make sure they are not selling alcohol to minors and the DMV is expanding its public education campaign to remind people that DUIs are still punishable with a suspended license. Caltrans is behind the computerized message signs on the highways and interstates
“Basically we are trying to get the message out that while people are driving that by slowing down they can save lives,” said Tamie McGowen, a spokeswoman for Caltrans.
Operation Wish List began Dec. 17 and is scheduled to last until Jan.2
