Hollister
– As Californians hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday, the
highways and byways of San Benito County and adjacent counties
become crowded and dangerous.
Hollister – As Californians hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday, the highways and byways of San Benito County and adjacent counties become crowded and dangerous.
The holiday travel period begins Wednesday afternoon and extends through Sunday evening, according to the Hollister-Gilroy area office of the California Highway Patrol. The day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year, CHP Public Information Officer Chris Armstrong said, with highway traffic running heaviest from around 1pm to late evening.
But a little preparation and common sense can keep holiday drivers and their families safe.
“Obey the speed limit, don’t drink and drive and be sure to buckle up,” said CHP Capt. Brent Newman of the Hollister-Gilroy area office.
Armstrong echoed Newman’s advice and said maintaining a safe following distance is another key to safety. He added that preparation is key: plan alternate routes, leave early and car pool to cut down on traffic.
“We encourage everybody to plan ahead,” Armstrong said. “I recommend an early departure time.”
Armstrong said San Benito residents looking to get away for the holidays face two highway hot spots. One includes the intersection of Highway 152 and Highway 156 near Casa de Fruta, just beyond the county line. Highway 156 is the quickest route for Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara county residents traveling to Los Angeles. The other is the Highway 101 stretch from the Masten exit in Gilroy south to the Highway 25 exit, he said.
Leaving Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning is also a good strategy to avoid crowded driving conditions, Armstrong said.
Jackie Houle, of Hollister, is traveling to spend Thanksgiving with relatives in Livermore, Calif., north of San Jose. Houle plans to leave Wednesday about noon.
“We try to go at times we think aren’t busy,” said Houle as she went into Nob Hill Monday afternoon.
Toni Smith, of Hollister, is lucky to avoid Thanksgiving travel. Her kids are coming to spend the holiday at her house.
“They’re coming from Southern California and Modesto. Some from Sacramento,” said Smith heading into Albertson’s Monday afternoon. “But since I’m the mom, they come to me.”
Smith said her children will leave either today or Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving in Hollister.
The CHP will implement a Maximum Enforcement Period over Thanksgiving, with every CHP officer on the road. Armstrong said the increased CHP presence is an effort to combat drunk driving, help clear roadways of hazards and help vehicles with mechanical problems.
The MEP is also part of Operation CARE, or Combined Accident Reduction Effort, a national highway patrol effort to reduce interstate travel accidents and incidents, according to the CHP.
During the 2005 Thanksgiving holiday, 60 people were killed while traveling in California, half of whom were not wearing their seat belt, and more than 1,500 people were arrested for driving under the influence, according to the CHP.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or
mv*********@fr***********.com
.
