CHP to increase patrols during Memorial Day weekend
CHP says it continues to see an increase in car crashes
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The new El Centro California Highway Patrol (CHP) Captain Scott Laverty is making sure patrols are conducting appropiate enforcement on drivers who violate traffic laws.
RELATED STORY: Meet CHP El Centro’s new captain
CHP said on Tuesday, it conducted a speed enforcement operation on Interstate 8 near State Route 98 to catch those speeding and putting other's lives in danger. Officers said 25 were speeding under 100 mph and four others for driving over 100 mph.
“We have seen an increase in speeds in this part of the roadway as well as an increase in crashes over the past few months by motorists traveling through this area. Last year we investigated over 40 crashes here in the Imperial Valley. More than 50% of those were injuries or fatals,” stated the CHP El Centro Commander Scott Laverty. “The Interstate 8 corridor within the Winterhaven and El Centro Areas represent a large portion of where traffic crashes are occurring here, and this effort was aimed to reduce that number.”
As for memorial day weekend, CHP will increase patrols to stop anyone who violates traffic laws. Commander Laverty adds, “As we approach this holiday weekend, the CHP will continue to increase patrols with a goal to reduce crashes. Let’s make sure we do everything as a community to bring our crash numbers down this year, starting with ensuring we are wearing our seat belts properly and driving safely."
To ensure a safe holiday, CHP will conduct a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) from Friday, May 28, to Monday, May 31, focusing on properly wearing seat belts. During the MEP, all available CHP officers will be out enforcing traffic safety laws throughout the state.
On 2020 Memorial Day, CHP said 78 percent of people were killed in crashes for not wearing a seatbelt.
