CHP: Buckle Up For Memorial Day Weekend

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) just issued a press release urging people to buckle up for Memorial Day weekend and all year long. Memorial Day, a holiday that honors fallen service members, is a popular travel weekend for people to get together with family members and friends. Motorists in California and across the nation can expect to see a dramatic increase in traffic on already busy roadways. In an effort to improve safety across the state, the CHP will be conducting a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP). 

Starting at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27, CHP officers will be out in full force. They will be looking for seat belt violations, distracted drivers, speeders, and anybody who is suspected of drunk driving or drugged driving. This MEP also coincides with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click it or Ticket” campaign, which will be running until June 5th. The CHP MEP will be running until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 30.  

California Memorial Day Crash Stats 

  • Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of all vehicle occupants killed in crashes within CHP jurisdiction last Memorial Day weekend were not wearing a seat belt.  
  • During last year’s Memorial Day MEP, 35 people were killed in crashes.  
  • CHP officers made 979 arrests for driving under the influence during last year’s MEP.  

Make Sure Children Are Buckled Up Too 

The CHP is also reminding parents and caregivers to make sure their children are buckled up in age and size-appropriate child safety seats. If your child is under eight, he or she should always be in the back seat. Infants and children under the age of two should be in rear facing car seats. If you have any questions about your child’s car seat, you can always schedule a free appointment at your local CHP area office to have a technician take a look.  

The team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. wishes everybody a Safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend, and if you have been injured in a crash caused by a dangerous or distracted driver in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California, contact our office at 1.800.GO.HARRIS for a free case consultation today.