After 40 people died on California roadways last year during New Year’s, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is reminding motorists to drive safe and sober this holiday by increasing enforcement and launching a maximum enforcement period (MEP) on roadways from Dec. 28, 2018 to Jan. 1, 2019.
During last year’s MEP, CHP officers made 936 arrests for driving under the influence and despite heavy patrol focusing on impaired and distracted drivers, the New Year’s death toll still reached 40.
“Impairment of any kind while driving is illegal. Alcohol, cannabis, or legal or illegal drugs can all affect your driving,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Impaired driving is a serious crime that can lead to an arrest, serious injury, or death.”
According the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety almost 95 percent of those surveyed consider driving after drinking a serious threat to personal safety; however, 13.5 percent reported driving at least once in the past year when they believed their alcohol levels may have been close or over the legal limit.
The CHP emphasizes that anyone who may be drinking have a planned ride home with a designated driver, ride share service, taxi or public transit.
In addition to impaired driving and speeding, law enforcement will also focus on seat belt violations. According to CHP statistics, more than two-thirds of those killed during last year’s MEP period were not wearing their seatbelt.
