California Highway Patrol officers Wednesday will ramp up operations in Los Angeles and Orange counties, and statewide, to snare drunken and drug-impaired drivers, continuing the campaign for the duration of the Thanksgiving holiday period.
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The agency will initiate its annual Thanksgiving "maximum enforcement period" beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, when all available officers will deploy to catch DUI suspects, speeders and other traffic violators.
The MEP will conclude Sunday night.
"Thanksgiving is a time to be with family and friends, not to mourn a preventable tragedy," Commissioner Sean Duryee said.
"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."
During last year's Thanksgiving MEP, the CHP arrested just over 1,100 people statewide on suspicion of drinking and driving, compared to 1,047 arrests during the previous Thanksgiving holiday period.
A total of 36 people died in collisions and other incidents on roads and highways under the CHP's jurisdiction over Thanksgiving weekend 2024. Fourteen victims were not wearing safety restraints, according to the agency.
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