CHP CLOSING OUT THE SUMMER WITH AN ANTI-DUI CAMPAIGN

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As motorists prepare for the final holiday weekend of summer, the
California Highway Patrol (CHP) is gearing up to save lives by joining with law enforcement
agencies throughout the country and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in an
ongoing nationwide drunk driving crackdown. The two-week-long “Drive Sober or Get Pulled
Over” campaign, which began August 16, coincides with the CHP’s annual Labor Day
Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP).


During the CHP’s holiday enforcement effort, which begins Friday, August 30, at 6 p.m. and
continues through Monday, September 2, at 11:59 p.m., all available CHP officers will be on
patrol throughout California to help ensure everyone has a safe journey. An additional emphasis
will be placed on removing impaired drivers from the roadway before they destroy their life or
the lives of their fellow motorists.
“Through our education and enforcement efforts over the holiday, we are hoping to save lives
and reduce the number of people injured and killed on California’s roadways,” said CHP
Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Do not let your guard down just because summer is coming to an
end; drive defensively and always wear your seat belt.”
During last year’s Labor Day MEP, 35 people were killed in collisions on California’s roadways.
Within CHP jurisdiction nearly half of the 16 vehicle occupants killed were not wearing a seat
belt at the time of the collision. CHP officers throughout the state made more than 1,300 arrests
for driving under the influence (DUI), which represents an 11 percent decrease from the same
period the previous year.
The public is encouraged to be a part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign by
dialing 9-1-1 to report suspected drunk drivers.