‘CHP officers will be vigilant’: Patrols ramp up for Memorial Day weekend

(KRON) — Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner, and, as the unofficial kick-off to summer approaches, the California Highway Patrol is reminding drivers and passengers to be safe and buckle up before hitting the road.

The CHP said its annual statewide Memorial Day Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP) will begin on Friday, May 23, at 6:01 p.m. and run through Monday, May 26, at 11:59 p.m.

During the holiday weekend last year, 42 people died in crashes across California, and more than 1,100 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to CHP.

“To help maintain safety on California’s roadways, CHP officers will be vigilant for impaired and reckless drivers and motorists who fail to buckle up,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee in a news release. “Our top priority is keeping the public safe, not just during the holidays but daily. Buckling up is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself and your passengers in a crash. Our officers will be out in force to help everyone arrive at their destination safely.”

CHP said it will also be deploying its newly launched fleet of stealth Specially Marked Patrol Vehicles that blend into traffic to catch dangerous drivers “without immediate detection.”

The California Highway Patrol said its holiday enforcement period coincides with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) national “Click it or Ticket” campaign, which started May 19 and ends June 1.