SACRAMENTO, Calif. (VVNG.com) — The California Highway Patrol is preparing for increased holiday traffic during Memorial Day weekend with a statewide enforcement campaign focused on seat belt safety and impaired driving prevention.
The CHP’s Holiday Enforcement Period will begin Friday, May 22, at 6 p.m. and continue through Monday, May 25, at 11:59 p.m. During the 78-hour enforcement effort, CHP officers will conduct targeted patrols to identify reckless drivers and encourage proper seat belt use for all vehicle occupants.
“Wearing a seat belt remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to save lives,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said in a written statement. “Crashes are unpredictable, and taking a moment to buckle up before every trip can mean the difference between life and death.”
The campaign coincides with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click it or Ticket” initiative, which promotes seat belt use nationwide.
According to preliminary data from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, more than 13,000 crashes statewide in 2024 and 2025 involved at least one unrestrained occupant, resulting in more than 1,300 fatalities.
During last year’s Memorial Day enforcement period, CHP officers investigated 22 fatal crashes within CHP jurisdiction. Of the 21 vehicle occupants killed, nine were not wearing seat belts. Officers also made more than 1,100 DUI arrests statewide during the same enforcement campaign.
The CHP also reminded drivers about the importance of properly securing children in age- and size-appropriate car seats or booster seats.
California law requires child passenger restraints based on a child’s age, weight and height. The CHP’s Child Passenger Safety Program offers education, outreach and car seat inspections through local CHP offices.
The CHP said its mission remains focused on providing the highest level of safety, service and security during the busy holiday travel weekend.
Note to readers: If you value our reporting and want to see it continue, consider becoming a monthly supporter. Your contribution helps keep independent, local news accessible to everyone. Support local news today!
