California Highway Patrol announces Thanksgiving weekend enforcement period
Thanksgiving enforcement period runs Wednesday evening through Sunday night
– The California Highway Patrol will begin its Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement Period at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, and continue through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30. Officers will focus on seat belt use, impaired driving, and safe travel during what the agency reports is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
As the holiday season begins, the California Highway Patrol reminds motorists that the simplest way to stay safe on the road this Thanksgiving weekend is to buckle up before every trip.
“Thanksgiving is a time to be with family and friends, not to mourn a preventable tragedy. 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,” California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee stated.
During last year’s Thanksgiving enforcement period, 36 people died in crashes across California. Within the agency’s jurisdiction, 14 vehicle occupants were killed, and six of them were not wearing a seat belt. Officers also made more than 1,100 arrests for driving under the influence during the 102-hour enforcement effort.
Over the past five years, officers have issued an average of more than 26,000 citations annually for seat belt violations. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, when worn correctly, seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury for front-seat passengers by 45 percent.
The agency urges motorists and passengers to buckle up, drive sober, and obey the speed limit, whether traveling across town or across the state.
The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security.
