The California Highway Patrol announced it made 909 DUI arrests while also reporting 19 fatal crashes during its Christmas Holiday Maximum Enforcement period.
CHP says this was a 42% increase in DUI’s from 2022, but a 23% decrease in fatalities in 2022.
The MEP began at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, and continued through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25. While the primary focus of the MEP is on speed enforcement, CHP officers were also looking for impaired drivers. Throughout this period, all available officers were deployed on the roadways, intensifying enforcement efforts, and assisting motorists.
During last year’s Christmas MEP, 26 people were killed in crashes within the CHP’s jurisdiction and nearly half of all the vehicle occupants killed were not wearing a seat belt.
Additionally, during last year’s Christmas MEP, CHP officers made 639 arrests for DUI – the equivalent of one arrest for DUI nearly every seven minutes throughout the holiday weekend.
CHP URGING MOTORISTS TO DRIVE INTO THE NEW YEAR SAFELY
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As we prepare to usher in a new year, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is ramping up efforts to help ensure the safety of all road users, while reducing the number of deadly crashes on the state’s roadways.
Beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, the CHP will implement a statewide Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP), which will continue through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
The CHP conducted a similar enforcement effort during the recent Christmas holiday. Tragically, 20 people were killed in crashes within CHP jurisdiction between 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25. Additionally, CHP officers made more than 900 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) – an average of one every five minutes.
“Our personnel work through the holidays to help ensure people arrive safely at their destinations,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “The goal is to maintain a safe environment on California’s roads, which is achievable when all motorists make responsible decisions behind the wheel.”
In addition to assisting drivers and looking for traffic violations, such as failure to wear a seat belt, speeding, and distracted driving, CHP officers will be paying close attention to people suspected of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. During the last New Year’s Day MEP, CHP officers made 570 DUI arrests statewide.
As we close out 2023, avoid becoming a statistic. Have a plan and designate a sober driver or use ride-share services, avoid distractions while driving, and always wear your seat belt. If you see or suspect an impaired driver, call 9-1-1 immediately. Be prepared to provide the dispatcher a description of the vehicle, the license plate number, location, and direction of travel. Your phone call may save someone’s life.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
The CHP encourages the public to call 9-1-1 to report impaired drivers, excessive speeding, and unsafe behavior on the roadways. The life you save could be your own.
