CHP Out in Force Through Thanksgiving Weekend

The CHP has launched its Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP). It will run through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. All available officers will be on patrol this holiday weekend.

What can you expect from the MEP? Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday, the CHP made more than 1,000 arrests for DUI.

Also last year, 35 people died in crashes on California roads. Of the 17 killed within the CHP's jurisdiction, 41 percent of them were not wearing seat belts. “Buckling up is simple and the most important safety measure you can take to protect yourself in a collision,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Seat belts save lives and prevent injuries. Do not put your own life at risk, or the life of your family or friends. Buckle up.”

Nationwide, more than half the drivers and passengers killed in collisions were not wearing seat belts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that seat belts saved the lives of more than 12,000 people in 2014.

The CHP offers these safety tips:

• drive at a speed safe for conditions
• avoid driving distracted
• designate a non-drinking driver
• report unsafe or impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1

-Image via Renee Schiavone, Patch