High Traffic Volumes Expected During Holiday Weekend
National and state safety officials are anticipating a lot of traffic on the California freeways over the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend. The holiday break traditionally kicks off the start of the summer travel season. Pandemic restrictions are finally easing. The re-opening economy combined with widespread cabin fever means that high traffic volumes on California highways are anticipated. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) are working in tandem to help facilitate traffic safety on state roads throughout the last weekend of May.
All Available CHP Officers Will be On Duty
To support the statewide safety campaign, the CHP will be conducting a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) over the 78 hours that make up Memorial Day Weekend. During the MEP, all available CHP officers will be on duty and out on the roads enforcing traffic laws throughout our state. Drivers will want to make sure that they keep their speeds within the posted limits and remember to always wear a seat belt.
The increased enforcement will begin at 6:00 p.m. on, Friday, May 28th, and run through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 31st. The collective focus of the CHP will be the proper use of seat belts, according to a press release from the agency’s Sacramento Headquarters. Incredibly, despite the ease of use and the documented fact that seat belts save lives, some people still refuse to buckle up.
Close to 80% of Californians who were killed in car crashes during the Memorial Day increased enforcement period in 2020 were not wearing a seat belt.
In addition to CHP efforts, the NHTSA’s ongoing “Click It or Ticket” campaign will continue to run through June 6, 2021.
Proper Restraints for Child Passengers
The Highway Patrol will also be highlighting the safety of child passengers by reminding the public about the proper use of car seats, boosters, and seat belts. Children under the age of eight must ride in the back seat of the vehicle whenever possible, under California law. Additionally, all children younger than two must be properly fastened in a rear-facing car seat.
CHP Will Also Look for Other Infractions
Of course, in addition to seat belt violations, officers will also be on the lookout for other dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding and signs of impaired or distracted driving. Last year, CHP officers arrested more than 850 people for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the Memorial Day weekend.
Davis Personal Injury Lawyer
Thank you for visiting our legal blog. My name is Ed Smith, and I am a personal injury lawyer serving the Davis, California region. For more than 38 years, the skilled lawyers at our firm have advocated on behalf of Northern Californians who suffered injuries caused by negligence. If you or a family member has been injured in an accident caused by another person’s carelessness or recklessness, we are available to offer compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice. From the Davis region, call us at our local number: (530) 392-9400. If you are from outside the area, we offer a toll-free number as well: (800) 404-5400.
Our law firm prioritizes our clients’ physical recoveries. By allowing us to protect your legal rights and work to maximize the value of your case, you will have more time and energy to focus on healing. To learn about what it means to be a holistic attorney, watch our YouTube video:
To see some of our past case results, please visit the settlements and verdicts section of our website. To read what our prior clients have to say about our services, please visit the sites linked below:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/memorial-day-holiday-american-flag-3432665/
mm [cs 627]