Labor Day partygoers be aware before getting into your cars this
weekend.
California Highway Patrol will be vigorously enforcing DUI,
speeding and safety belt laws Friday, Sept. 1 through the evening
of Monday, Sept. 4.
Jessica Thy Nguyen Special to the Dispatch
Gilroy – Labor Day partygoers be aware before getting into your cars this weekend.
California Highway Patrol will be vigorously enforcing DUI, speeding and safety belt laws Friday, Sept. 1 through the evening of Monday, Sept. 4.
“We are going to be out there in full force,” California Highway Patrol Officer Chris Armstrong said. “It is a maximum enforcement period.”
Labor Day is traditionally one of the worst holiday periods of the year for traffic collisions, CHP Capt. Brent Newman said in a press release.
“Because it’s the final break before summer officially ends and school starts, everyone tries extra hard to squeeze in every last bit of fun they can,” he added. “Unfortunately, along with higher traffic volumes comes an increase in the number of crashes.”
Last year during Labor Day weekend, in South County there were 19 highway traffic collisions, eight of those involved injuries. Out of the 19, three were DUI related crashes, Armstrong said.
There were 22 total CHP arrests and 17 of those were DUI related, including the three drivers that were involved in the crashes.
The CHP also will be out to enforce the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign.
“Our mentality is that all passengers should be properly restrained to reduce the severeness of injury or chance of fatality,” Armstrong said. “We’ll be on the lookout for DUI drivers and seatbelt violations.”
The NHTSA will also be flashing “Drunk Driving. Over The Limit. Under Arrest.” signs to remind drivers of the campaign.
As for the Gilroy Police Department, Sgt. Kurt Svardal said they’re involved in the “Avoid The 13” campaign and will have a couple of traffic units dedicated to DUI arrests this weekend.
All South County law enforcement agencies will be working together to ensure the safety of all drivers this holiday weekend.
“We want to make sure all drivers know we do not tolerate drinking and driving,” Armstrong said. “If you’re going to drink, don’t drive. It’s for your safety and the safety of other drivers.”
