CHP cracking down on naughty drivers
Motorists caught being naughty instead of nice on California roadways this holiday season may get far worse than a lump of coal in their Christmas stockings.
The California Highway Patrol will have all available officers on the road beginning at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve in an effort to keep the highway's safe, especially from drunk drivers, according to Williams CHP public affairs Officer John Waggoner.
The holidays are about family, friends and celebration, said Waggoner. Unfortunately it also is a time of year when the state sees many alcohol-related injuries and fatalities.
According to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there were more than 4,000 collisions statewide during last year's Christmas enforcement period. During that period, 37 people died on California roadways, among them 23 who lost their lives in alcohol—related crashes.
"If you are going to drink, make sure you designate a driver or make arrangement for a taxi or a ride from a friend," Waggoner said. "Do not get behind the wheel, even if you have had just one drink."
The Christmas maximum enforcement period will run until midnight on Sunday.
Last year, the CHP and the Colusa County Sheriff's, Colusa Polic and Williams Police departments arrested five motorists for driving drunk during the Christmas maximum enforcement periods.
Eight people were arrested for DUI in the Yuba-Sutter area and one person was killed on Christmas Day in a fatal collision on Highway 70.
In addition to drunk drivers, the CHP will be looking for speeders, seat belt violations and the use of hand-held cell phones, the CHP said.
The CHP will conduct a similar enforcement during the New Year's holiday, beginning at 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
Last year, local law enforcement arrested six motorists for driving drunk during the New Year's maximum enforcement period.
"Hopefully by drawing attention to the enforcement efforts, motorists will choose to voluntarily comply with the traffic safety laws and be there to ring in the new year," CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said Monday, in a statement.
Along with the increased enforcement, the CHP is asking motorist to help keep the state's roadways safe by calling 9-1-1 to report a suspected drunk driver.
Callers should be prepared to provide dispatchers a description of the vehicle, its location and the direction of travel, Waggoner said.
Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.
