LOS ANGELES – During the first 24 hours of the California Highway Patrol’s “maximum enforcement period,” more than 300 people were arrested for driving under the influence.
The CHP said that there were 314 arrests on Saturday night, which is more than the 241 from the same time in 2022.
The number of arrests or deaths in the Los Angeles area has not been made public.
Since 6:01 p.m. on Friday, law enforcement officers in Los Angeles County and across the state have been on the lookout for people driving while drunk or breaking other traffic laws over the Memorial Day weekend.
The “maximum enforcement period” for the CHP will last until Monday at 11:59 p.m., said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. During this time, all uniformed cops who are available will be put on patrol.
Last year, 45 people were killed in accidents across the state over Memorial Day weekend. This was nearly 30% more than the same time in 2021.
“During the holidays, drivers can expect to see more CHP officers on California’s roads,” said Duryee. “Our main goal will be to improve public safety, discourage unsafe driving, and, if necessary, take action to enforce the law.”
Local law enforcement agencies are also planning to increase patrols in Los Angeles County and do things like set up DUI stops.
“In addition to helping drivers and looking for traffic violations that often lead to serious injury or death, like not wearing a seat belt, speeding, and driving while distracted, CHP officers will pay close attention to people who are thought to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” Duryee said.
Duryee said that during the Memorial Day MEP in 2022, CHP agents made almost 900 DUI arrests across the state.
“Make sure you and everyone else on the road are safe by naming a sober driver or using a ride-share service,” said Duryee. “Call 9-1-1 right away if you see or think a driver is drunk or high. Someone could be saved by your phone call.”
Duryee said people who call should be ready to give the dispatcher a description of the car, its license plate number, its location, and the direction it is going.