LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As motorists plan to get away this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is reminding those headed out on road trips to buckle up, don’t drink and drive, keep your vehicle at a safe and legal speed and eliminate distractions.

“As the public heads out to enjoy quality time with their family and friends this holiday weekend, we want them to have fun and be safe” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “When you get in the car, make the choice to buckle up and ensure your passengers are secured as well.”

Holiday travelers will find themselves in good company: Memorial Day weekend is a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) for the CHP.

To help keep things safe on the roadways throughout the holiday, CHP Area offices will deploy every available officer from 6 p.m. Friday, May 27 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 30.

Memorial Day weekend 2010 saw a significant decrease in the number of people killed in collisions on the state’s roadways; according to CHP statistics there was a 62 percent reduction from the previous year.

During last year’s holiday weekend, 17 people were killed in crashes in California. Among those that died, 12 were vehicle occupants within CHP jurisdiction. Sadly, one third of those individuals were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

“Law enforcement would rather motorists buckle up and be safe, than have to issue a citation,” added Farrow. “Don’t put your life or the lives of your passengers at risk, insist on seat belts.”

CHP records show that during the 2010 Memorial Day weekend in Lake County, there were eight vehicle collisions, resulting in two fatalities and eight injuries.

Unsafe speed and improper turning were the main causes of the crashes that weekend, with one driving under the influence-related crash, CHP records showed.

The CHP’s holiday enforcement effort coincides with the 2011 “Click It or Ticket” seat belt campaign, which continues nationwide through June 5.

“While it’s encouraging that California’s current seat belt and child safety seat usage rates are at an all-time high,” said Farrow. “It’s the goal of law enforcement to get motorists to buckle up everyday, not just over the holiday weekend.”

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