Deadliest day on California roadways coming — CHP patrolling for DUI, speeding on holiday

On the deadliest holiday of the year for roadways, the California Highway Patrol is bolstering its forces for maximum enforcement and reminding motorists to stay sober.

Starting at 6:01 pm Friday, and running through 1:59 pm Monday, the CHP officers will be lookout for distracted, aggressive, or intoxicated drivers, as well as focusing on speeding infractions.

“Speed is the number one factor in roadway crashes in California, causing one-third of the traffic-related deaths,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said in a news release.

The CHP made nearly 10,000 citations statewide for speeding during last year’s Independence Day enforcement campaign. Officers also made 997 arrests for intoxicated driving. And 43 people were killed in accidents on California roadways during that time, a third of which were not wearing seat belts.

The Fourth has been the most dangerous day of the year to drive, with the following day being the ninth-most dangerous, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data analyzed by the Ryan Law Group.

“Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Speeding not only endangers your life, but the lives of everyone on the roadway,” Ray said. “Fill the holiday weekend with celebration and fun activities, not reckless choices that lead to tragedy.”