VALLEJO (KRON) — With holidays and storms around the corner, California Highway Patrol is calling 2015 one of the deadliest years on Bay Area roadways and is asking everyone to drive safely over the Labor Day weekend.
Within CHP jurisdiction alone, there have been 120 fatal collisions, which is a 20% increase over the same time period last year.
“Even one person killed is too many,” said Chief Paul Fontana of Golden Gate Division. “Help us make the Bay Area a safe place to drive by slowing down, wearing your seat belt, putting down the phone, and never driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce drunk driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent.
In an effort to keep us all safe on the road, the CHP will be out in force over the Labor Day weekend as part of our Maximum Enforcement Period. During this time, all available CHP officers will be on duty to detect impaired drivers and to assist motorists in need.
During the Labor Day holiday last year, 27 people were killed in traffic collisions across California, with 3 killed in the Bay Area. Of those 27 people, nearly half were not wearing seat belts when they were killed, according to CHP.
Last year, CHP officers made more than 1,100 arrests for driving under the influence statewide, and over 166 in the Bay Area alone.
“Drunk driving is one of the most serious traffic-related issues we face today,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Make sure your plans for your end-of-summer celebrations always include a safe way to get home for yourself and your passengers. If you are caught driving drunk, you will be arrested.”
If you see a suspected impaired driver, call 9-1-1 if it is safe to do so. Be prepared to assist the dispatcher by providing your location, a description of the vehicle, the license plate number, and the vehicle’s direction of travel.