The long Fourth of July weekend saw a sobering increase in fatalities on California highways, underscoring the importance of traffic safety law enforcement and adherence.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that during their Maximum Enforcement Period, which began Friday evening, 68 people lost their lives in traffic accidents. Notably, almost half of these victims were not wearing seatbelts at the time of their accidents.
Over the enforcement period, which extended through the July 4 holiday, CHP officers issued 9,700 speeding citations and made 1,224 arrests on suspicion of DUI. This averages out to one arrest approximately every five minutes.
CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee described the results of the weekend enforcement as “concerning,” highlighting that all these deaths were preventable and have left a lasting impact on the victims’ loved ones. He reaffirmed CHP’s commitment to making California roadways safer and stressed that traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Drivers are urged to contribute to road safety by always wearing seatbelts, adhering to speed limits, and never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences of traffic violations and the importance of vigilant enforcement and compliance with traffic safety laws.